Wet extraction of hydrocarbons from Botryococcus braunii by dimethyl ether as compared with dry extraction by hexane

► Liquid DME extract the major C32-C34 hydrocarbons from wet Botryococcus samples. ► Yield and main elements of the extract by DME were matched with those by hexane. ► HHV, colour, MWD, and GC spectra of extracts differed between DME and hexane. ► DME do not extract the minor C30 and C31 hydrocarbons but some additional substances. ► The contaminants to hydrocarbon fraction can be easily removed by the silica gel.