Ultrasonic disruption of algae cells

K. Nowotarski, P. M. King, E. M. Joyce, T. J. Mason

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference proceedingpeer-review

    15 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    During last decade there has been increasing interest in the production of sustainable fuels from microalgae (R.H. Wijffels and M.J. Barbosa, 2010; Singh et al 2011; D.H. Lee 2011). The aim of this project was to determine if algal cells can be ultrasonically disrupted to release lipids for biofuel production. Ultrasonic disruption of two unicellular algal species: Dunnaliella salina and Nannochloropsis oculata was investigated using a 20 kHz probe. Haemocytometer, optical density, UV-Vis, fluoro-spectrophotometer and confocal microscopy results demonstrated complete cell destruction of Dunaliella salina within 16 minutes of sonication. Results obtained for Nannochloropsis oculata differed in that ultrasound dispersed clumped cells with little or no cell disruption, as observed by haemocytometer and confocal microscopy analysis. However, UV-Visible and fluoro-spectrophotometer analysis indicated chlorophyll release following sonication, suggesting some cell disruption had occurred.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationAIP Conference Proceedings
    PublisherAIP Publishing
    Pages237-240
    Number of pages4
    ISBN (Print)9780735410190
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2012
    EventInternational Congress on Ultrasonics, ICU 2011 - University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
    Duration: 5 Sept 20118 Sept 2011

    Publication series

    NameAIP Conference Proceedings
    Volume1433
    ISSN (Print)0094-243X
    ISSN (Electronic)1551-7616

    Conference

    ConferenceInternational Congress on Ultrasonics, ICU 2011
    Abbreviated titleICU2011
    Country/TerritoryPoland
    CityGdansk
    Period5/09/118/09/11

    Keywords

    • Algae
    • Biofuel production
    • Ultrasonic disruption

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • General Physics and Astronomy

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