Method for extraction and purification of oils from microalgal biomass using high-pressure co2 as a solute
AssigneesSynaptic Research, LLC, The Johns Hopkins University
InventorsMarc D. Donohue, Michael J. Betenbaugh, George A. Oyler, Julian N. Rosenberg
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Abstract
The present invention provides methods for the isolation of oils from intact or lysed microorganisms in aqueous media with pressurized carbon dioxide as a solute. Such oils may be used for the production of biofuels. Also provided for are methods for harvesting and rupturing whole cell microorganisms in aqueous media with pressurized carbon dioxide as a solute
Claims23
A method for the isolation of oil from microorganisms in an aqueous media comprising:
- (a) adding pressurized carbon dioxide (CO2) as a solute to the media containing the microorganisms, wherein CO2 is dissolved in the media resulting in an oil rich phase;
- and
- (b) removing the oil phase, thereby isolating the oil from the microorganism.
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A method for harvesting whole cell microorganisms from aqueous culture medium comprising:
- (a) adding pressurized CO2 to the whole cells, wherein CO2 is a solute that is dissolved by the cells thereby increasing the buoyancy of the cells;
- and
- (b) isolating the cells.
A method to obtain oil from oil that is secreted or released from whole cell microorganisms in aqueous culture medium comprising:
- (a) adding pressurized CO2 to the whole cells, wherein CO2 is a solute that is dissolved by the cells thereby increasing the buoyancy of the cells;
- (b) isolating the cells;
- (c) subjecting the cells to rapid decompression thereby rupturing the cells to obtain a biomass phase, a water phase, and an oil phase;
- and
- (d) removing the oil phase, thereby isolating the oil from the microorganism.
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.