Nondisruptive methods of extracting algal components for production of carotenoids, omega-3 fatty acids and biofuels
First Claim
1. A method of isolating carotenoids, neutral lipids, and omega-3 fatty acids from algae, comprising:
- a. providing an algal culture comprising intact algal cells;
b. dewatering said algal culture to make a wet algal biomass comprising intact algal cells;
c. adding a first solvent set to the wet algal biomass in a ratio of about 1 part first solvent set to about 1 part algal biomass by weight to generate an extraction mixture comprising a first solid phase and a first liquid phase comprising proteins;
d. separating the first solid phase from the first liquid phase;
e. combining the first solid phase with a second solvent set in a ratio of about 1 part second solvent set to about 1 part first solid phase by weight to generate an extraction mixture comprising a second solid phase and a second liquid phase comprising polar lipids;
f. separating the second solid phase from the second liquid phase;
g. combining the second solid phase with a third solvent in a ratio of about 1 part ethanol to about 1 part second solid biomass by weight to generate an extraction mixture comprising a third solid phase, comprising carbohydrates, and a third liquid phase comprising neutral lipids, omega-3 fatty acids, and carotenoids;
h. separating the third solid phase from the third liquid phase, 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
i. separating the carotenoids and omega-3 fatty acids from the remaining neutral lipids.
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Abstract
A method for producing biofuels is provided. A method of making biofuels includes dewatering substantially intact algal cells to make an algal biomass, extracting neutral lipids from the algal biomass, and esterifying the neutral lipids with a catalyst in the presence of an alcohol. The method also includes separating a water soluble fraction comprising glycerin from a water insoluble fraction comprising fuel esters and distilling the fuel esters under vacuum to obtain a C16 or shorter fuel esters fraction, a C16 or longer fuel ester fraction, and a residue comprising carotenoids and omega-3 fatty acids. The method further includes hydrogenating and deoxygenating at least one of (i) the C16 or shorter fuel esters to obtain a jet fuel blend stock and (ii) the C16 or longer fuel esters to obtain a diesel blend stock.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method of isolating carotenoids, neutral lipids, and omega-3 fatty acids from algae, comprising:
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a. providing an algal culture comprising intact algal cells; b. dewatering said algal culture to make a wet algal biomass comprising intact algal cells; c. adding a first solvent set to the wet algal biomass in a ratio of about 1 part first solvent set to about 1 part algal biomass by weight to generate an extraction mixture comprising a first solid phase and a first liquid phase comprising proteins; d. separating the first solid phase from the first liquid phase; e. combining the first solid phase with a second solvent set in a ratio of about 1 part second solvent set to about 1 part first solid phase by weight to generate an extraction mixture comprising a second solid phase and a second liquid phase comprising polar lipids; f. separating the second solid phase from the second liquid phase; g. combining the second solid phase with a third solvent in a ratio of about 1 part ethanol to about 1 part second solid biomass by weight to generate an extraction mixture comprising a third solid phase, comprising carbohydrates, and a third liquid phase comprising neutral lipids, omega-3 fatty acids, and carotenoids; h. separating the third solid phase from the third liquid phase, 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 i. separating the carotenoids and omega-3 fatty acids from the remaining neutral lipids. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification