In order to efficiently extract lipids from wet cell mass, an
approach using lignocellulose-derived inhibitors for treatment
of cells prior to solvent extraction was sought to apply. The
inhibitors, as by-products formed during the hydrolysis of lignocellulosic
biomass with dilute acid, have significantly negative
effects on microbial cell growth and metabolism (including lipid
production), likely via cell membrane damage, nucleic acid
damage and enzyme inhibition (Mills et al., 2009).