2.4. Extraction and estimation of lipids
The standard protocol of Bligh & Dyer (1959) was followed for lipid extraction from the drum dried microalgal biomass with chloroform, methanol and distilled water as solvents. The organic layer was evaporated in a water bath followed by drying at 104 °C for 30 min. The weight of the lipid was estimated in a high precsion balace of Sartorious, Germanny.