The neutral lipids that were converted to FAME using the fixed
bed reactor were extracted from dried algae powder using hexane
Soxhlet extraction. Prior to the extraction dried algae flakes were
pulverized using a blender and then ground in a ball mill for
5 days. Once the cells had been finely ground, they were placed
in the Soxhlet extractor until the extracting hexane was colorless
(24–48 h). The lipid containing hexane solution was then filtered
through a 1.2 lm GFC Whatman filter. The hexane was then removed
using a rotary evaporator leaving the black colored hexane
soluble lipids, which were labeled ‘‘crude oil.” The crude oil was
then re-dissolved in hexane and filtered through activated carbon
to remove pigments. The resulting neutral lipids were transparent
and ranged from light yellow to amber in color.