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US 7,781,193 B2Granted
Solventless extraction process
AssigneeMartek Biosciences Corporation
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.
Claims24
A process for obtaining lipids from microorganisms comprising:
- (a) releasing intracellular lipids of cells of the microorganisms grown in a fermentation medium into the fermentation medium by lysing the cells, rupturing the cells, or permeabilizing the cells;
- (b) producing a phase separated mixture from the fermentation medium comprising a heavy layer and a light layer, wherein said heavy layer comprises an aqueous solution and said light layer comprises said lipids;
- (c) separating said heavy layer from said light layer;
- and
- (d) obtaining said lipids from said light layer.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.