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Microalgal Cell Disruption via Ultrasonic Nozzle Spraying

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Abstract

The objective of this study was to understand the effect of operating parameters, including ultrasound amplitude, spraying pressure, nozzle orifice diameter, and initial cell concentration on microalgal cell disruption and lipid extraction in an ultrasonic nozzle spraying system (UNSS). Two algal species including Scenedesmus dimorphus and Nannochloropsis oculata were evaluated. Experimental results demonstrated that the UNSS was effective in the disruption of microalgal cells indicated by significant changes in cell concentration and Nile red-stained lipid fluorescence density between all treatments and the control. It was found that increasing ultrasound amplitude generally enhanced cell disruption and lipid recovery although excessive input energy was not necessary for best results. The effect of spraying pressure and nozzle orifice diameter on cell disruption and lipid recovery was believed to be dependent on the competition between ultrasound-induced cavitation and spraying-generated shear forces. Optimal cell disruption was not always achieved at the highest spraying pressure or biggest nozzle orifice diameter; instead, they appeared at moderate levels depending on the algal strain and specific settings. Increasing initial algal cell concentration significantly reduced cell disruption efficiency. In all UNSS treatments, the effectiveness of cell disruption and lipid recovery was found to be dependent on the algal species treated.

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Acknowledgments

This research was financially supported by the US National Science Foundation (Award # CMMI-1239078) and the startup fund of North Carolina State University. The authors want to thank Aurizon Ultrasonics for providing the ultrasonic nozzle spraying system and especially Mr. Tom Bett of Aurizon Ultrasonics for his valuable assistance in system setup and testing.

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  1. Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA

    M. Wang & W. Yuan

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  1. M. Wang
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  2. W. Yuan
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Correspondence to W. Yuan.

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Wang, M., Yuan, W. Microalgal Cell Disruption via Ultrasonic Nozzle Spraying. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 175, 1111–1122 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-014-1350-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-014-1350-z

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