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Microalgae are utilised in various products, including sustainable biofuels (SAF), nutraceuticals, and animal feeds, across multiple sectors, including AgriBioTech and CleanTech. Some algae cells require high pressures to break open their cell walls. Our leading technology excels at this task and can also increase yields and protect the quality of intracellular contents.

Application Notes - Microalgae - Cell Disruption


Many of our clients use our cell homogenizers for their applications and need to disrupt algae-microalgae cells. Our high-pressure homogenizer systems provide an optimal combination of processing pressures and the number of passes through the homogenizer for efficient cell lysis of multiple types of algae cells.

Based on our experience and published research papers, for microalgae cell disruption (depending on the type of algae), 1500 to 45,000 psi (3100 bar) pressure and 1 to 2 passes are usually recommended.

Our STANSTED high-pressure homogenizer range provides controllable, repeatable, and optimal processing pressures for microalgae.

The before and after processing images demonstrate the high lysis efficiency our STANSTED homogenizers can achieve.

Stansted Homogenizer company logo

Cell Disruptor for Algae.


Fig A, B - Unprocessed Algae suspension.

Fig C, D, E, F - Processed Microalgae suspension after different processing conditions.

Fig A

Algae - algal cells before cell lysis

Fig B

Algae - algal cells before cell disruption.

Fig C

Algae - algal cells after cell lysis

Fig D

Algae - algal cells after cell disruption.

Fig E

microalgae cells after cell lysis - homogenizer

Fig F

microalgae cells after cell disruption - homogenizer.

Microscopic examination - Zeiss Inverted Microscope with Axiocam ERC 5 camera.

Features & advantages of our technology


  Possible increases in the extraction yield of several intracellular compounds.

  Adjustable process pressure from 1,500 psi to 60,000 psi (4200 bar) - the highest for this technology.

  Easy to scale from lab R&D to production systems up to 1000 l/h and more.

  Sophisticated options for temperature control for all stages of homogenization.

  Easy to use and clean with low ongoing ownership costs.

Microalgae Production Homogenizer

With feed and discharge reservoirs. Process volumes in excess of 1000 l/h.

Production scale Homogenizer for microalgae.

Lab SPCH model

Highly versatile with sample sizes from 1m to 35ml and processing volumes up to 16 L per hour.

Cell homogenizer for Algae.

We are keen to discuss our technology with companies working with sustainable biofuels, including SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuels) and marine biodiesel.

European CE and other international safety-standards compliant construction.

Please get in touch to discuss your requirements.

Dimensions and weight of SPCH Lab models

(basic configuration)
Width approx. 550mm (21.7″)
Depth approx. 600mm (23.6″)
Height approx. 670mm (26.7″)
Weight approx. 125 kg (275 lb)

References:

1. Bernaerts, T.M., Gheysen, L., Kyomugasho, C., Kermani, Z.J., Vandionant, S., Foubert, I., Hendrickx, M.E. and Van Loey, A.M., 2018. Comparison of microalgal biomasses as functional food ingredients: Focus on the composition of cell wall related polysaccharides. Algal Research, 32, pp.150-161.

2. Balduyck, L., Bruneel, C., Goiris, K., Dejonghe, C. and Foubert, I., 2018. Influence of high pressure homogenization on free fatty acid formation in Nannochloropsis sp. European Journal of Lipid Science and Technology, 120(4), p.1700436.