Direct transesterification of algal biomass for synthesis of fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE)

摘要

Methods of producing fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE) using a direct transesterification process are described. The direct transesterification process uses low levels of chemical solvents, acid catalysts, and heating energy to produce the FAEE in a method with increased efficiency in a co-solvent system. The FAEE produced may be used in a variety of products including health, beauty, nutraceutical, and cosmetic products.

主权项

1. A method for recovering fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE) from microalgae, comprising:
a. mixing microalgae comprising lipids and biomass with a first non-polar solvent at a biomass:first non-polar solvent ratio of 1:1 to 1:10 to form a first reaction mixture; b. mixing the first reaction mixture with ethanol and a liquid acid catalyst to generate a second reaction mixture at a biomass:catalyst ratio of 1:0.1 to 1:2 and a biomass:ethanol ratio of 1:1 to 1:10; c. heating the second reaction mixture to generate an ester mixture comprising at least some of the lipids converted into an FAEE product; d. contacting the ester mixture with a second non-polar solvent to generate a first extraction mixture; e. separating the first extraction mixture into a first liquid fraction comprising the FAEE product and a solid fraction comprising biomass; and f. recovering the FAEE product in the first liquid fraction at an actual yield of at least 69%.