Methods of selective removal of products from an algal biomass

• US 8,197,691 B2
• Filed: 10/04/2011
• Issued: 06/12/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Heliae Development, LLC (PT Perusahaan Perkebunan London Sumatra Indonesia Tbk)
• Original Assignee: Heliae Development, LLC (PT Perusahaan Perkebunan London Sumatra Indonesia Tbk)
• Inventors: Kale, Aniket
• Primary Examiner(s): DRODGE, JOSEPH W
• Application Number:
  US13/252,707
• Publication Number:
  US 20120046454A1
• Time in Patent Office: 252 Days
• Field of Search: 210/633, 210/634, 210/639, 210/743, 210/749, 210/770, 210/774, 210/806, 443/07, 446/05, 443/05, 47/14, 554/20, 554/21, 554/174, 435/134, 435/262, 435/267, 435/271, 435/272
• US Class Current: 210/634
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 7/00 Drugs for disorders of the blood or the extracellular fluid
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 11/04 of solutions which are liquid
• CPC Class Codes: C11B 1/10 by extracting
• CPC Class Codes: C11B 1/108 after-treatment, e.g. of miscellae
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 50/10 Biofuels, e.g. bio-diesel

Abstract

Methods for selective extraction and fractionation of algal lipids and algal products are disclosed. A method of selective removal of products from an algal biomass provides for single and multistep extraction processes which enable efficient separation of algal components. Among these components are neutral lipids synthesized by algae, which are extracted by the methods disclosed herein for the production of renewable fuels.

Claims

1. A method of selectively removing products from an algal biomass comprising intact algal cells, the method comprising:

a. combining an algal biomass and a first solvent set, to generate a first extraction mixture, the first extraction mixture including a first solid phase and a first liquid phase comprising proteins;

b. separating at least a portion of the first liquid phase of the first extraction mixture from the first solid phase;

c. combining the first extraction solid phase and a second solvent set, to generate a second extraction mixture, the second extraction mixture including a second solid phase and a second liquid phase comprising polar lipids, wherein the second extraction mixture is less polar than the first extraction mixture;

d. separating at least a portion of the second liquid phase of the second extraction mixture from the second solid phase;

e. combining the second extraction solid phase and a third solvent set, to generate a third extraction mixture, the third extraction mixture including a third solid phase and a third liquid phase comprising neutral lipids, wherein the third extraction mixture is less polar than the second extraction mixture wherein the first liquid phase has a higher protein concentration than the second and third liquid phases, the second liquid phase has a higher polar lipids concentration than the first and third liquid phases, and the third liquid phase has a higher neutral lipids concentration than the first and second liquid phases; and

f. separating at least a portion of the third liquid phase of the third extraction mixture from the third solid phase.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first, second or third solvent sets comprises a water miscible or water immiscible solvent.

3. The method claim 1, wherein at least one of the first, second or third solvent sets comprises two water miscible or two water immiscible solvents.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first, second or third solvent sets comprises one or more water miscible solvents and one or more water immiscible solvents.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first, second and/or third extraction mixture is heated to a temperature below its boiling point.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the extraction mixture is under a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first, second, and third solvent sets comprise one or more amphipathic solvents.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first, second or third solvent sets comprises a solvent selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, acetone, ethyl acetate, and acetonitrile.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first, second, or third solvent sets comprises ethanol.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the solvent set is added to the biomass in a 1:

1 weight/weight ratio.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the cells comprising the algal biomass are not dried or disrupted.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the algal biomass is unfrozen.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting the pH of at least one of the first, second, and third extraction mixtures to optimize protein extraction.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the algal biomass is simultaneously at least partially dewatered while products are selectively extracted from the algal biomass.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the first, second, and third extraction solid phases comprise intact algal cells.