Structural insights reveal the effective Spirulina platensis cell wall dissociation methods for multi-output recovery

In this work, Spirulina platensis cells harvested in the exponential and equilibrium phases with intact and broken cell walls were treated through a set of alkaline or acidic conditions including alkalis and acids, with solutions of pH 0.0-14.0. The effective Spirulina platensis cell wall dissociation methods for multi-output recovery were obtained. SEM and FTIR were applied to characterize the alkaline and acid treatment details, and Spirulina platensis cell wall dissociation mechanisms, via attacks by OH- or H+, were then proposed. Overall, this study highlights the synthesized multi-output algal product in an integrated strategy with ultracellular structural insight and is valuable for understanding the specific roles of attack ions.