Systems and methods for extracting non-polar lipids from an aqueous algae slurry and lipids produced therefrom

摘要

Methods, systems, and apparatuses for extracting non-polar lipids from microalgae are achieved using a lipid extraction device having an anode and a cathode that forms a channel and defines a fluid flow path through which an aqueous slurry is passed. An electromotive force is applied across the channel at a gap distance in a range from 0.5 mm to 200 mm to cause the non-polar lipids to be released from the algae cells. The non-polar lipids can be extracted at a high throughput rate and with low concentrations of polar lipids such as phospholipids and chlorophyll.

主权项

1. A method for extracting non-polar lipids from microalgae in a flowing aqueous slurry, comprising:
providing an aqueous slurry comprising microalgae; providing a lipid extraction apparatus having a body including a channel that defines a fluid flow path, wherein a cathode and an anode form at least a portion of the channel that defines the fluid flow path, the cathode and the anode being spaced apart to form a gap with a distance in a range from 0.5 mm to 200 mm within the channel; flowing the aqueous slurry through the channel and applying an electromotive force across the gap that compromises the microalgae cells and releases a lipid fraction having greater than 80 wt % non-polar lipids and less than 20 wt % polar lipids; and recovering at least a portion of the nonpolar lipid fraction.