Lipid extraction from microalgae can be performed in several ways. Some com­monly used technologies include supercritical fluid extraction, oil press extraction, solvent extraction and ultrasound-assisted extraction. Oil press extraction involves the use of machinery to literally squeeze cells until they rupture to liberate intracel­lular lipid contents. The types of oil presses used for extraction include the ram press, screw press and expeller press. Solvent extraction, which is the most com­monly used, involves the use of chemicals such as benzene, acetone and hexane. The interaction between the algal cells and the solvent causes cell wall rupture, thus causing equilibrial dissolution and liberation of intracellular lipids. Supercritical extraction makes use of fluid high pressures and temperatures (above the critical levels) to rupture the cells and liberate intracellular lipids. This method of extraction has proven to be time efficient but requires high operating cost [13]. The ultrasound technique makes use of cyclic sound pressure to rupture algal cells, and the resulting free intracellular lipid is harnessed using solvents. The advantages and disadvan­tages of each method are summarised in Table 4.