Isolation of chlorophylls from intact algal cells

A method of isolating chlorophylls from intact algal cells, comprising:

• a. dewatering intact algal cells suspended in a fluid medium to generate an algal biomass;
• b. adding a solvent set to the algal biomass in a ratio of about 1 part solvent set to about 1 part algal biomass by weight to generate an extraction mixture comprising a liquid fraction and a solid fraction, wherein the liquid fraction comprises neutral lipids and chlorophylls and the solid fraction comprises the extracted algal biomass, wherein the extracted algal biomass comprises intact algal cells;
• c. separating the liquid fraction comprising neutral lipids and chlorophylls from the algal biomass;
• and
• d. isolating the chlorophylls from the neutral lipids.

A method of isolating carotenoids and chlorophylls from intact algal cells, comprising:

• a. dewatering intact algal cells to make an algal biomass;
• b. adding a first alcohol solvent set to the algal biomass in a ratio of about 1 part alcohol solvent set to about 1 part algal biomass by weight to generate an extraction mixture comprising a first liquid fraction and a solid fraction, wherein the liquid fraction comprises proteins and the first solid fraction comprises the extracted algal biomass, wherein the extracted algal biomass comprises intact algal cells;
• c. separating the first solid fraction from the first liquid fraction comprising proteins;
• d. combining the first solid biomass fraction with a second alcohol solvent set in a ratio of about 1 part alcohol solvent set to about 1 part solids by weight;
• e. separating a second solid biomass fraction from a second liquid fraction comprising polar lipids, carotenoids and chlorophylls;
• f. isolating at least one of carotenoids and chlorophylls, from the second liquid fraction;
• g. combining the second solid biomass fraction with a third alcohol solvent set in a ratio of about 1 part alcohol solvent set to about 1 part solid biomass by weight;
• h. separating a third solid biomass fraction from a third liquid fraction comprising neutral lipids, omega-3 fatty acids, carotenoids and chlorophylls, wherein the third solid biomass fraction comprises carbohydrates and intact algal cells;
• and
• i. isolating at least one of carotenoids, chlorophylls and omega-3 fatty acids from the third liquid fraction.