reported that the treatment with 3% H2SO4 at 121 C for 45 min gave maximum
yield of sugars in the hydrolysates of microalgal biomass.
Microalgal cells are generally known to be very rich in proteins,
carbohydrates and, lipids [24] that could easily leach out during
acid pre-treatment [68]. The results observed in this study showed
that acid pre-treatment has the potential to improve bioethanol
yield from the lipid extracted residual microalgal biomass. The acid
pre-treatment method helps to release and convert the carbohydrates
that are entrapped in the cell wall of S. bijugatus into simple
sugars prior to the fermentation process.