The effect of different isolation procedures on algaenan molecular structure in Scenedesmus green algae

The isolation of algaenan from its parent algae is the first step employed in the effort to characterize it. Three different protocols are the most followed in the isolation of algaenan. Because different structures have been proposed for algaenan from the same parent algae but isolated using different isolation protocols, we examined the possible effects the isolation procedure has on the algaenan chemistry. Our results indicate that the three different commonly used procedures have an impact on the structure of the recovered algaenan, because they involve different chemical treatments of varying strengths for the removal of non-algaenan components. The modifications to the overall similar dominant aliphatic composition include the formation of esters through transesterification, inclusion of proteins, destruction of crystallinity and hydrolysis of esters.