A new approach to finding optimal centrifugation conditions for shear-sensitive microalgae

A study has been conducted to assess clarification efficiency and cell damage during centrifugation, and to optimize this operation for the dinoflagellate microalga Amphidinium carterae. Although cells were easily recovered from the cell suspension, cell damage was observed in some experiments once the cells had sedimented. Cell damage depends on both the residence time of the cells in the pellet and on the g-force applied. 2D Computer fluid dynamics simulations were carried out to simulate and predict microalgal cell settling times, and a dimensionless number was used to obtain an operating window (combinations of g-force and centrifugation time) for optimal centrifugation of the microalga. The approach used in this study can be extrapolated to other cells and other centrifuges.