Technical feasibility of residual biomass of microalgae Desmodesmus sp. after supercritical extraction: evaluation of chemical composition

Abstract

Supercritical extraction process has been used to obtain bioactive compounds from microalgae biomass that differs in composition because it has protein, esters, carotenoids, chlorophyll, enzymes, antibiotics, vitamins, and hydrocarbons. Due to this, the study of the technical feasibility of supercritical extraction of microalgae and the evaluation of the chemical composition from residual biomass of microalgae Desmodesmus sp. is the goal of this work looking for its reutilization in cosmetic, food and pharmaceutical applications. The experimental unit used is formed, basically, of a 42 mL extractor, a high pressure pump, and a micro-metering valve used for sampling. The study showed that it was obtained a higher mass yield at 90 °C and 440 bar of pressure. The residual biomass still contained a high percentage of proteins and carbohydrates, indicating that it could be used in nutraceuticals applications, and as biofertilizers.