Hydrothermal microwave processing of microalgae as a pre-treatment and extraction technique for bio-fuels and bio-products

► Hydrothermal microwave processing (HMP) allows effective extraction of phytochemicals. ► Nutrients such as N and P are extracted into the process water. ► HMP results in higher lipid extraction yields. ► High salt containing microalgae absorb more microwave energy. ► HMP results in improved bio-crude quality following hydrothermal liquefaction.