Algal Cell Lysis And Lipid Extraction Using Electromagnetic Radiation-Excitable Metallic Nanoparticles

• US 20110217748A1
• Filed: 03/05/2010
• Published: 09/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Eck, Christopher R., Costas, Carlos R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,722,375 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/173.7
• CPC Class Codes: C11B 1/10 by extracting
• CPC Class Codes: C11C 3/00 Fats, oils, or fatty acids by chemical modification of fats, oils, or fatty acids obtained therefrom sulfonated fats or oils C07C309/62; factice C08H; drying oils C09F
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 47/06 Hydrolysis; Cell lysis; Extraction of intracellular or cell wall material lysis of microorganisms C12N1/06; extracting or separating nucleic acids from biological samples C12N15/1003
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 13/00 Treatment of microorganisms or enzymes with electrical or wave energy, e.g. magnetism, sonic waves

Abstract

According to one embodiment, the disclosure provides a system for algal cell lysis. The system may include at least one algal cell, a plurality of metal nanoparticles, and an electromagnetic radiation generator. The generator may be able to generate radio frequency or microwave radiation that excites the plurality of metal nanoparticles, resulting in lysis of the algal cell. The disclosure also provides a system for recovery of a lipid from an algal cell similar to the above system but also including a separator. The disclosure further provides a method of recovering a lipid from an algal cell by supplying a plurality of metal nanoparticles to at least one algal cell, exciting the plurality of metal nanoparticles with radio frequency or microwave electromagnetic radiation, lysing the algal cell to release the lipid, and separating the lipid from the lysed algal cell.

Claims

1. A system for algal cell lysis comprising:

at least one algal cell;

a plurality of metal nanoparticles; and

an electromagnetic radiation generator, wherein the generator is operable to generate radio frequency or microwave radiation that excites the plurality of metal nanoparticles, resulting in lysis of the algal cell.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the algal cell comprises a lipid, and wherein lysis of the algal cell releases the lipid.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of the metal nanoparticles are located inside of the algal cell prior to lysis.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of metal nanoparticles are located outside of the algal cell prior to lysis.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of metal nanoparticles are located on or in a cell wall of the algal cell prior to lysis.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of metal nanoparticles are located both inside and outside of the algal cell, both inside the algal cell and on or in the cell wall, both outside the algal cell and on or in the cell wall, or inside and outside or the algal cell and on or in the cell wall prior to lysis.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the metal nanoparticles are operable to experience ionic conduction when excited by the electromagnetic radiation.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the metal nanoparticles are operable to experience dipolar reorientation when excited by the electromagnetic radiation.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the metal nanoparticles comprise a ferromagnetic material.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the metal nanoparticles are not coated or modified in order to increase uptake by the algal cells.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the system further comprises an agent to increase uptake of the metal nanoparticles by the algal cells.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the metal nanoparticles are coated or modified to increase uptake by the algal cells.

13. A system for recovery of a lipid from an algal cell comprising:

at least one algal cell comprising a lipid;

a plurality of metal nanoparticles;

an electromagnetic radiation generator, wherein the generator is operable to generate radio frequency or microwave radiation that excites the plurality of metal nanoparticles, resulting in lysis of the algal cell and release of the lipid from the lysed algal cell; and

a separator operable to separate the lipid from the lysed algal cell.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the plurality of the metal nanoparticles are located inside of the algal cell prior to lysis.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the plurality of metal nanoparticles are located outside of the algal cell prior to lysis.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the plurality of metal nanoparticles are located both inside and outside of the algal cell prior to lysis.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the plurality of metal nanoparticles are located on or in a cell wall of the algal cell prior to lysis.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the plurality of metal nanoparticles are located both inside and outside of the algal cell, both inside the algal cell and on or in the cell wall, both outside the algal cell and on or in the cell wall, or inside and outside or the algal cell and on or in the cell wall prior to lysis.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein the metal nanoparticles are operable to experience ionic conduction when excited by the electromagnetic radiation.

20. The system of claim 13, wherein the metal nanoparticles are operable to experience dipolar reorientation when excited by the electromagnetic radiation.

21. The system of claim 13, wherein the metal nanoparticles comprise a ferromagnetic material.

22. The system of claim 13, wherein the metal nanoparticles are not coated or modified in order to increase uptake by the algal cells.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the system further comprises an agent to increase uptake of the metal nanoparticles by the algal cells

24. The system of claim 13, wherein the metal nanoparticles are coated or modified to increase uptake by the algal cells.

25. The system of claim 13, wherein the separator may comprise a centrifuge.

26. The system of claim 13, wherein the separator may comprise a skimmer.

27. The system of claim 13, wherein the separator may include a flocculation recovery device.

28. A method of recovering a lipid from an algal cell comprising:

supplying a plurality of metal nanoparticles to at least one algal cell, wherein the plurality of nanoparticles is located inside or outside the algal cell, in or on a cell wall of the algal cell, or in a combination of these locations;

exciting the plurality of metal nanoparticles with radio frequency or microwave electromagnetic radiation;

lysing the algal cell to release the lipid; and

separating the lipid from the lysed algal cell.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein supplying further comprises allowing the algal cells to take up the metal nanoparticles.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein exciting further comprises inducing ionic currents in the metal nanoparticles.

31. The method of claim 28, wherein exciting further comprises inducing dipolar reorientation of the metal nanoparticles.

32. The method of claim 28, wherein exciting further comprises inducing a ferromagnetic effect in the metal nanoparticles.

33. The method of claim 28, wherein separating comprises skimming the lipid from the lysed algal cell.

34. The method of claim 28, wherein the separating comprises flocculation.

35. The method of claim 28, wherein the separating comprises centrifugation.