Microalgae extract containing omega 3-polyunsaturated fatty acids and method for extracting oil from micro-organisms

US8815570B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Feyecon B.V. · NL

Inventors

• Andreas Weber · Rabenau, DE
• Nieves Gonzalez Ramon · Delft, NL

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 2, 2009
• Grant date: Aug 26, 2014
• Expiry date: May 11, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A23V2002/00
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The present invention relates to a biphasic microalgae extract comprising 15-95 wt. % of an aqueous phase and 5-85 wt. % of an oil phase, said extract containing at least 1% by weight of total fatty acids of ω3-fatty acids selected from the group consisting of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and combinations thereof, said extract further being characterized in that it contains: • 40-100% by weight of the oil phase of lipids selected from triglycerides, diglycerides, monoglycerides, phosphatides, free fatty acids and combinations thereof; • 0.01-10% of carotenoids by weight of the oil phase; • 0.5-10% of sodium chloride by weight of the aqueous phase; • 0-3 wt. % of non-dissolved material other than dispersed droplets of aqueous phase or oil phase; and • 0-10% of C1-5 monoalcohol by weight of the aqueous phase. Together the aqueous phase and oil phase of the biphasic extract contain essentially all the lipid material that was originally contained in the microalgae biomass, i.e. both apolar lipids (e.g. triglycerides, free fatty acids) and polar lipids (e.g. glycolipids, phospholipids). The invention also provides processes for extracting an oil phase from wet…