Recovery of compounds using a natural adsorbent
OwnerHafsteinn Helgasoninventor
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Abstract
The invention provides a method for recovery of compounds by adsorption fish scales. The method can be used for natural and synthetic compounds such as various natural pigments including astaxanthin in an esterified or not and synthetic astaxanthin in free form, or other carotenoid compounds. Fish scales with an adsorbed compound may be used as a source of the compound both for human and animal consumption. In particular, fish scales with adsorbed astaxanthin provide a calcium-rich nutritional supplement with beneficial anti-oxidant properties.
Claims32
A method for recovery of a hydrophobic compound from a liquid medium, comprising the steps of:
- (i) contacting a medium comprising the compound with fish scales to allow adsorption of the compound to the fish scales;
- (ii) separating the fish scales with the adsorbed compound from the medium to obtain the recovered compound adsorbed onto the fish scales;
- and
- (iii) optionally desorbing the compound with a suitable solvent.
The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the compound is selected from the group containing carotenoids, porphyrins, and linear tetrapyrroles.
The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the compound is selected from the group containing chlorophylls, chlorophyllides, protoporphyrin, ferroprotoporphyrin;
- phycobilin, biliverdin, bilirudin;
- marennine;
- carotenoids, both xanthophylls including astaxanthin, vulgastaxanthin, zeaxanthin, canthaxanthin, vioaxanthin, lutein, lycopene, crocetin, bixin, norbixin, betanin;
- and carotenes including β-carotene, α-carotene, γ-carotene, and δ-carotene;
- retinol;
- tocopherols;
- phytols;
- squalene;
- polyunsaturated fatty acids including eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and arachidonic acid.
The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fish scales are ground scales.
The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fish scales are chemically modified.
Fish scales with an adsorbed hydrophobic compound.
A method for purifying wastewater comprising filtering wastewater with filtering means comprising whole or ground fish scales.
Fish scales with an adsorbed hydrophobic compound and which compound is adsorptive on fish scales for use as a nutritional and/or nutraceutical supplement for humans.
A method of affecting the color of an animal or an animal product with a pigment comprising providing the animal with ground fish scales with adsorbed pigment.
A feed composition comprising fish scales with adsorbed pigment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.