Microalgal Culture, Lipid Production and Extraction Using an Integrated Microfluidic System

We present a novel method for simple and efficient lipid analysis by integrating multi-process including microalgal culture, lipid production and lipid extraction on a single microfluidic device. We devised a double-layered PDMS device, composed of cell culture chamber and connecting channel filled with micropillar array between culture chamber and output reservoir. Lipid accumulation was induced by supply of nitrogen deficient media into microchannel and lipid extraction was performed by alcohol solvents such as 70% ethanol, isopropanol. Cell debris was removed by micropillar filter and lipid extract from output reservoir was analyzed by thin layer chromatography and gas chromatography.