TURNING CONTAMINATION INTO OPPORTUNITY: Combining low-cost harvesting of microalgae with green extraction methods

Abstract

Global challenge Nowadays a transition towards green and renewable sources of chemicals is needed. Microalgae can be a fine solution, but on industrial scale microalgae biorefineries need to reduce the costs in the process using cheap and harmful chemicals. Our target biomolecule lutein is a pigment with light-filtering and anti-oxidant properties. Downstream applications are feed or food related products or treatment for vision-, skin-and neurodegenerative disease. Specific cultivation parameters should be optimized to ensure an enhanced lutein production in our Chlorella sp. microalgae. Using metal salts as coagulant for flocculation, we aim to develop metal-doped biochar and activated carbon from the metal-polluted residual biomass. Instead of using harmful standard solvents, we use solvents with sustainable properties as a green extraction method: natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES).