title: Advances in techniques for assessment of microalgal lipids.
abstract: Microalgae are a varied group of organisms with considerable commercial potential as sources of various biochemicals, storage molecules and metabolites such as lipids, sugars, amino acids, pigments and toxins. Algal lipids can be processed to bio-oils and biodiesel. The conventional method to estimate algal lipids is based on extraction using solvents and quantification by gravimetry or chromatography. Such methods are time consuming, use hazardous chemicals and are labor intensive. For rapid screening of prospective algae or for management decisions (e.g. decision on timing of harvest), a rapid, high throughput, reliable, accurate, cost effective and preferably nondestructive analytical technique is desirable. This manuscript reviews the application of fluorescent lipid soluble dyes (Nile Red and BODIPY 505/515), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Raman, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy for the assessment of lipids in microalgae.
authors.affiliation: a School of Medical and Applied Sciences , Central Queensland University , Rockhampton , QLD , Australia.
authors.forename: Vineela
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Challagulla
authors.affiliation: b South Australian Research and Development Institute - Aquatic Sciences , West Beach , South Australia , Australia.
authors.forename: Sasi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nayar
authors.affiliation: a School of Medical and Applied Sciences , Central Queensland University , Rockhampton , QLD , Australia.
authors.forename: Kerry
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.affiliation: a School of Medical and Applied Sciences , Central Queensland University , Rockhampton , QLD , Australia.
authors.forename: Larelle
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fabbro
mesh_terms: D056804:Biofuels; D008055:Lipids; D058086:Microalgae; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D056804:Biofuels; D008055:Lipids
keywords: Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; Raman spectroscopy; biofuels; lipid soluble dyes; near infrared spectroscopy; nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy