Cell disruption by bead milling of Neochloris oleoabundans grown under nitrogen repleted (NR) and nitrogen depleted (ND) conditions was evaluated based on the release of biochemicals and biomass to the supernatant. Additionally, energy consumption for cell disruption was calculated per kg of released component. Bead milling of NR cells resulted on average in 34% (w/w) release of biochemicals into the supernatant, with a similar composition as the untreated microalgal biomass. With ND cells, the release was higher and more selective, i.e. 57%, 59%, 68% and 56% (w/w) of respectively biomass, proteins, carbohydrates and lipids whereof 92%, 57% and 46% (w/w) respectively of phospho-, glyco- and neutral lipids. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.