Effective lipid extraction from algae cultures using switchable solvents

A new procedure based on switchable polarity solvents (SPS) was proposed for lipid extraction of wet algal samples or cultures, thereby circumventing the need for an energy intensive drying step and facilitating easy recovery of the lipids from the extraction liquid. Lipids were extracted by using N,N-dimethylcyclohexylamine (DMCHA) and recovered by adding CO2, thereby switching DMCHA into a hydrogen carbonate ammonium salt and resulting in the formation of a separate liquid lipid phase.