Processes for isolating chitin and chitosan from fungal biomass
AssigneesJohannes Van Leeuwen, Daniel Rudnick
InventorsJohannes VAN LEEUWEN, Glenn A. NORTON, Sipho C. NDLELA, Daniel RUDNICK
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Abstract
Methods of extracting chitin and chitosan from fungal biomass using a solution of one or more ammonia compounds, amines, and/or alkaline silicate compounds. The solution dissolves and extracts amino acids, fatty acids and other carbohydrates from the fungal cells leaving chitin and/or chitosan, and the extractant may be recovered from the liquid by simple phase changes such as heating or cooling, dissociation into volatile components, distillation and/or solidification and separation of immiscible extractants. Further lipid removal may be achieved with one or more organic solvents, which may also be recovered by distillation.
Claims23
A method for separating chitin from a fungal biomass comprising:
- a. dissolving protein and oil in an extractant comprising one or more of ammonium compounds, organic amines, and alkaline silicate compounds thereby leaving a chitin-rich material;
- b. separating the solid chitin by screening or centrifugation;
- c. recovering the extractant;
- and
- d. recovering protein, lipids and other fungal byproducts from the solution.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.