Journal article 133 views 19 downloads
Assessing different methods to preserve biochemical fractions in microalgal biomass for commercial applications
Alla Silkina 
,
Jose Gayo Pelaez,
Kam Tang
,
Jose Gayo Pelaez,
Kam Tang
Algal Research, Volume: 91, Start page: 104330
Swansea University Authors:
Alla Silkina , Jose Gayo Pelaez, Kam Tang
DOI (Published version): 10.1016/j.algal.2025.104330
Abstract
Different methods exist for preserving microalgal biomass, but their relative effectiveness in maintaining the integrity of key biochemical constituents over an extended period of time remains unclear. This study compared the performance of different methods (refrigeration, freezing, freeze-drying,...
| Published in: | Algal Research |
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| ISSN: | 2211-9264 |
| Published: |
Elsevier BV
2025
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| Online Access: |
Check full text
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa70465 |
| Abstract: |
Different methods exist for preserving microalgal biomass, but their relative effectiveness in maintaining the integrity of key biochemical constituents over an extended period of time remains unclear. This study compared the performance of different methods (refrigeration, freezing, freeze-drying, spray-drying, and oven-drying) for preserving different biochemical fractions (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, chlorophyll a and carotenoids) of two commercially important microalgal species, Scenedesmus (Tetradesmus) obliquus and Chlorella vulgaris, over 43 days. Results show compound-specific and species-specific differences in degradation. In this study, carbohydrates in S. obliquus were best preserved by freezing, lipids by spray-drying, and proteins by freeze-drying. In contrast, carbohydrates and lipids in C. vulgaris were best preserved by oven-drying, and proteins by spray-drying. A decision chart based on different percent loss values aid operators to select the optimal preservation method, especially in cases where microalgal biomass is to be used to extract multiple chemical fractions. Beyond biochemical integrity, industrial-scale operations must also consider factors such as capital investment, energy consumption, labor and material costs, processing time and material loss. For example, oven-drying is inexpensive but has a long processing time, whereas spray-drying, while requiring higher capital and skill investment, has a fast throughput that may be more preferable in a competitive commercial space. This article provides practical recommendations for selecting appropriate preservation methods for algal biomass in both commercial and laboratory contexts, based on which a decision chart was formulated to aid operators in choosing the most appropriate preservation method. |
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| Keywords: |
Microalgal biomass; Drying methods; Biochemical composition preservation; Lipid stability |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |
| Start Page: |
104330 |