Solventless Extraction Process
AssigneeDsm IP Assets B.V.
InventorsCraig M. Ruecker, Swithwin Patrick Adu-peasah, Brian S. Engelhardt, George T Veeder, III
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Abstract
The present invention provides a method for extracting lipids from microorganisms without using organic solvent as an extraction solvent. In particular, the present invention provides a method for extracting lipids from microorganisms by lysing cells and removing water soluble compound and/or materials by washing the lysed cell mixtures with aqueous washing solutions until a substantially non-emulsified lipid is obtained.
Claims46
A process for obtaining lipid from microorganisms comprising:
- (a) lysing cells of the microorganisms to produce a lysed cell mixture;
- (b) treating said lysed cell mixture to produce a phase separated mixture comprising a heavy layer and a light layer, wherein said heavy layer comprises an aqueous solution and said light layer comprises said lipid;
- (c) separating said heavy layer from said light layer;
- and
- (d) obtaining said lipid from said light layer.
A process for obtaining lipids from microorganisms comprising:
- (a) growing said microorganisms in a fermentation medium to produce a fermentation broth;
- (b) solubilizing at least a part of any proteins present in said fermentation broth;
- (c) lysing cells of said microorganisms to produce a lysed cell mixture;
- (d) treating said lysed cell mixture to produce a phase separated mixture comprising a heavy layer and a light layer, wherein said heavy layer comprises an aqueous solution and said light layer comprises emulsified lipids;
- (e) separating said heavy layer from said light layer;
- and
- (f) obtaining said lipids from said light layer.
A process for obtaining lipids from microorganisms comprising:
- (a) growing said microorganisms in a fermentation medium to produce a fermentation broth;
- (b) contacting said fermentation broth with a base to dissolve at least a part of any proteins present in said fermentation broth;
- (c) increasing the temperature of said fermentation broth to at least about 50° C. to lyse cells of said microorganisms to produce a lysed cell mixture;
- (d) separating substances of different densities from said lysed cell mixture to produce a phase separated mixture comprising a heavy layer and a light layer, wherein said heavy layer comprises an aqueous solution and said light layer comprises emulsified lipids;
- (e) removing said heavy layer from said phase separated mixture;
- (f) adding an aqueous washing solution to said light layer;
- (g) separating substances of different densities from said mixture of step (f);
- (h) removing said heavy layer from said phase separated mixture;
- and
- (i) repeating said steps (f)-(h) until said lipid becomes substantially non-emulsified.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.