Methods of protein extraction from substantially intact algal cells

• US 8,748,588 B2
• Filed: 10/07/2011
• Issued: 06/10/2014
• 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): Noakes, Suzanne M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Jae W
• Application Number:
  US13/269,400
• Publication Number:
  US 20120029170A1
• Time in Patent Office: 977 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 530/412
• 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 proteins from an algal biomass or algal culture are disclosed. A method of selective removal of products from an algal biomass provides for single and multistep extraction processes which allow for efficient separation of algal proteins. These proteins can be used as renewable sources of proteins for animal feedstocks and human food. Further, lipids remaining in the algal biomass after extraction of proteins can be used to generate renewable fuels.

Claims

1. A method of extracting proteins from a wet algal biomass comprised of intact algal cells, the method comprising:

a. providing an algal biomass comprised of intact algal cells that comprise globulin proteins, albumin proteins, glutelin proteins, and prolamin proteins;

b. combining the wet algal biomass with a solvent set, comprising ethanol, to generate an extraction mixture, the extraction mixture comprising a solid phase and a liquid phase, wherein the weight of the solvent set is about the same as the weight of the wet algal biomass;

c. bringing the extraction mixture to a temperature wherein the viscosity of the extraction mixture is reduced and the temperature is below the boiling point of the extraction mixture; and

d. separating at least a portion of the liquid phase from the solid phase, wherein the liquid phase of the extraction mixture comprises globulin proteins, albumin proteins, glutelin proteins, and prolamin proteins, and wherein the solid phase comprises polar and non-polar lipids.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising increasing the pressure of the extraction mixture before, during, or after bringing the extraction mixture to the temperature wherein the viscosity of the extraction mixture is reduced and the temperature is below the boiling point of the extraction mixture.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising removing the solvent set from the separated liquid phase to obtain an extraction product.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting the pH of the extraction mixture to optimize protein extraction.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the wet algal biomass is at least partially dewatered during the separating step.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the intact algal cells comprise intact freshwater algal cells.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the intact algal cells comprise at least one of intact Scenedesmus sp. and intact Haematococcus sp. algal cells.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the intact algal cells comprise intact saltwater algal cells.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the intact algal cells comprise at least one of intact Nannochloropsis sp. and intact Dunaliella sp. algal cells.