Restated, after ether extraction (3 1 L), the combined ether layer (upper) is concentrated under reduced pressure and the crude extract is obtained for further processing. The materials used to treat 1 kg of lutein from microalgae powder (5 g/kg lutein content with 90% recovery) include 6667 L ethyl ether, 89 kg KOH, 2222 L water, 133 L acetone, and 222 L olive oil with an energy consumption of roughly 2200 MJ.