3. Compound separation

3.1 Objectives and strategy for biomolecule separation

The separation of compounds from microalgae represents a major challenge if we are to valorize all biomass fractions.

Separation processes can be applied to both extracellular and intracellular compounds. The separation of microalgae metabolites can have different objectives: the production of fractions enriched in a family of compounds, for example the production of protein, lipid or carbohydrate fractions, without precisely identifying a molecule; or, on the contrary, the extraction of a specific molecule and its purification, as is the case, for example, for the extraction of a pigment (phycoerythrin, astaxanthin, phycocyanin).

Following permeabilization or lysis, intracellular...