Investigation of the Chemical Composition of the n-Hexane Fraction of the Spirogyra

In view of the importance of algae as biomass for the resource recovery the non-polar fraction of the Sopirogyra was analyzed. This fraction was obtained both by hot and cold extraction process in separate experiments using n-hexane as solvent. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of the extract was carried out using GC-MS and GC equipped with FID in separate experiments. The nature of products was confirmed using total ion chromatograms as well as fragmentation pattern. The concentration of the major compounds was determined using the peak area. This fraction of Spirogyra was found to have 51.19 % of various types of alcohols, 47.64% of various amines and small quantities of thiol and ketones in addition to small quantities of two unknown compounds. The possible uses of this extract as resource is also discussed in this communication.