Mechanical methods (bead mill, ultrasonication, hydrodynamic cavitation, and homogenization) are commonly used to disrupt cell walls with applied energy. Non mechanical methods include physical, chemical and biological processes; however, all are under development (Lee et al., 2012a,b). Energy consumption (in MJ) for 1 kg dry biomass decreases in the following order: high pressure homogenization (530) > bead mills (500) > microwave (420) > ultrasonication (130) > high-speed homogenization (70) > hydrodynamic cavitation (30). The microalgae after cell wall disruption are dried to a moisture content of 10% via freeze drying or spray drying.