Producción de Compuestos Orgánicos de Valor Comercial a partir de la Biomasa Microalgal de Scenedesmus Dimorphus

Abstract

Microalgae are a promising source of commercial organic compounds since its culturing could be integrated to existing industrial processes, promoting joint goals of sustainability and profitability.
Yield of serial extractions with n-hexane, ethanol and acetone of Scenedesmus dimorphus was studied. Samples of algal biomass cultured under normal and stressed conditions were taken and lipid content obtained was 162,6 mg/g and 265,8 mg/g, respectively. It was also observed that culture deprived from nutrients not only accumulates lipids (344% w/w increase) but also carbohydrates, astaxanthin and its esters.
Results show that it is possible to obtain different organic products from S. dimorphus cultures, with solvents and techniques commonly used in the industrial field but rarely found in microalgae current bibliography.