Manipulation of polarity and water content by stepwise selective extraction and fractionation of algae
First Claim
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1. A method of selectively separating products from a wet algal biomass comprised of intact algal cells, the method comprising:
- a. providing a wet algal biomass;
b. adding a first solvent set, to generate a first extraction mixture comprising a first liquid phase and a first solid phase, wherein the first liquid phase comprises between about 35% to about 50% water;
c. separating at least a portion of the first liquid phase from the first solid phase, wherein the first solid phase comprises intact algal cells;
d. combining the first solid phase with a second solvent set, to generate a second extraction mixture comprising a second liquid phase and a second solid phase, wherein the second liquid phase comprises between about 15% to about 25% water and is less polar than the first liquid phase;
e. separating at least a portion of the second liquid phase from the second solid phase, wherein the second solid phase comprises intact algal cells;
f. combining the second solid phase with a third solvent set, to generate a third extraction mixture comprising a third liquid phase and a third solid phase, wherein the third liquid phase comprises between about 5% and 15% water and is less polar than the first and second liquid phases; and
g. separating at least a portion of the third liquid phase from the third solid phase, wherein the third solid phase comprises intact algal cells and the first liquid fraction has a higher protein concentration than the second and third liquid fractions, the second liquid fraction has a higher polar lipids concentration than the first and third liquid fractions, and the third liquid fraction has a higher neutral lipids concentration than the first and second liquid fractions.
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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.
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21 Claims
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1. A method of selectively separating products from a wet algal biomass comprised of intact algal cells, the method comprising:
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a. providing a wet algal biomass; b. adding a first solvent set, to generate a first extraction mixture comprising a first liquid phase and a first solid phase, wherein the first liquid phase comprises between about 35% to about 50% water; c. separating at least a portion of the first liquid phase from the first solid phase, wherein the first solid phase comprises intact algal cells; d. combining the first solid phase with a second solvent set, to generate a second extraction mixture comprising a second liquid phase and a second solid phase, wherein the second liquid phase comprises between about 15% to about 25% water and is less polar than the first liquid phase; e. separating at least a portion of the second liquid phase from the second solid phase, wherein the second solid phase comprises intact algal cells; f. combining the second solid phase with a third solvent set, to generate a third extraction mixture comprising a third liquid phase and a third solid phase, wherein the third liquid phase comprises between about 5% and 15% water and is less polar than the first and second liquid phases; and g. separating at least a portion of the third liquid phase from the third solid phase, wherein the third solid phase comprises intact algal cells and the first liquid fraction has a higher protein concentration than the second and third liquid fractions, the second liquid fraction has a higher polar lipids concentration than the first and third liquid fractions, and the third liquid fraction has a higher neutral lipids concentration than the first and second liquid fractions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of selectively separating products from a wet algal biomass comprised of intact algal cells, the method comprising:
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a. providing a wet algal biomass; b. adding a first solvent set, to generate a first extraction mixture comprising a first liquid phase and a first solid phase, wherein the first liquid phase comprises about 50% water; c. separating at least a portion of the first liquid phase from the first solid phase, wherein the first solid phase comprises intact algal cells; d. combining the first solid phase with a second solvent set, to generate a second extraction mixture comprising a second liquid phase and a second solid phase, wherein the second liquid phase comprises about 25% water and is less polar than the first liquid phase; e. separating at least a portion of the second liquid phase from the second solid phase, wherein the second solid phase comprises intact algal cells; f. combining the second solid phase with a third solvent set, to generate a third extraction mixture comprising a third liquid phase and a third solid phase, wherein the third liquid phase comprises between about 15% water and is less polar than the first and second liquid phases; and g. separating at least a portion of the third liquid phase from the third solid phase, wherein the third solid phase comprises intact algal cells and the first liquid fraction has a higher protein concentration than the second and third liquid fractions, the second liquid fraction has a higher polar lipids concentration than the first and third liquid fractions, and the third liquid fraction has a higher neutral lipids concentration than the first and second liquid fractions. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification