In this review, the effect of organic solvents on microalgae cultures from molecular to industrial scale is presented. Traditional organic solvents and solvents of new generation-ionic liquids (ILs), are considered. Alterations in microalgal cell metabolism and synthesis of target products (pigments, proteins, lipids), as a result of exposure to organic solvents, are summarized. Applications of organic solvents as a carbon source for microalgal growth and production of target molecules are discussed. Possible implementation of various industrial effluents containing organic solvents into microalgal cultivation media, is evaluated. The effect of organic solvents on extraction of target compounds from microalgae is also considered. Techniques for lipid and carotenoid extraction from viable microalgal biomass (milking methods) and dead microalgal biomass (classical methods) are depicted. Moreover, the economic survey of lipid and carotenoid extraction from microalgae biomass, by means of different techniques and solvents, is conducted.

• Keywords
• cultivation, economic survey, extraction, industrial compounds, industrial effluents, microalgae, organic solvents,
• MeSH
• Biomass MeSH
• Chemical Industry MeSH
• Energy Metabolism drug effects   MeSH
• Microalgae drug effects   growth & development   metabolism   MeSH
• Organic Chemicals adverse effects   MeSH
• Industrial Waste MeSH
• Solvents adverse effects   MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Organic Chemicals MeSH
• Industrial Waste MeSH
• Solvents MeSH