Abstract:
This study examines the effect of different cell disruption methods on the diffusion of proteins and pigments in the aqueous phase of Chlorella vulgaris. With the rise in biofuel production, there is a gap in understanding how cell disruption impacts the release and diffusion of valuable intracellular components. The aim was to evaluate the efficacy of various cell disruption methods—chemical hydrolysis, ultrasonication, bead milling, and high-pressure homogenization—in releasing C. vulgaris proteins and pigments into an aqueous medium. Each method was assessed using quantitative diffusion analyses, microscopic observations, and concentration measurements. Results showed that bead milling provided the highest protein yield, while high-pressure homogenization exhibited the fastest diffusion of proteins and pigments. The main takeaway is that while bead milling offers high recovery, high-pressure homogenization facilitates faster diffusion, highlighting different methods’ suitability depending on specific extraction goals.
Conclusion on the Role of Constant Systems Cell Disruption equipment:
Constant Systems Equipment, particularly the high-pressure homogenizer, was crucial in this study as it enabled efficient disruption of C. vulgaris cells. This equipment ensured rapid protein and pigment release, providing insight into the effectiveness of high-pressure methods for biofuel and bioproduct extraction applications. Its role was central in illustrating the relationship between cell disruption intensity and molecular diffusion.
