Lipids extracted from several species of natural blue-green microalgae by dimethyl ether: Extraction yield and properties

► Lipids directly extracted from several species of high-moisture microalgae. ► The yield and molecular weight distribution is comparable to the Bligh-Dyer method. ► Extracted lipids were characterized by low O, N and higher C, H content. ► The higher calorific value of extracted lipids was 33.8 MJ/kg. ► DME extraction method also shows greater dewatering ability.