This study determined the effects of temperature and time on oil extraction from indigenous freshwater microalgae– Dictyosphaerium, Chlorella, Desmodesmus and Cosmarium species, cultured in fifteen 2-litre column photobioreactors (PBR) (three per specie). Growth and specific growth rates for the mixotrophic>autotrophic cultivation of the species. Oil was extracted from the dried microalgae species at temperatures ranging from 40 to 120 °C at 20 oC intervals and times ranging from 30 to 210 minutes at 30 minutes’ intervals, by accelerated solvent extraction method. Extraction temperature, time and type of microalgae species had significant effect (p < 0.05) on oil yield (temperature > time > type of species). As extraction temperature and time... |