Microalgal Cell Disruption Through Fenton Reaction: Experiments, Modeling and Remarks on its Effect on the Extracted Lipids Composition

Abstract

A novel cell disruption technique, based on the use of Fenton reaction, for the improvement of lipid extraction from microalgae has been recently presented in the literature. In this work, a mathematical model is proposed to quantitatively interpret the relevant experimental results obtained so far. Model results and experimental data are successfully compared. Moreover, a mechanistic explanation of the relevant phenomena underlying the positive effects of disruption on the composition of fatty acids methyl esters, obtained through trans-esterification of the extracted lipids, is presented.