Improved Omega-3 Containing Compositions

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to bioavailable oil compositions, wherein at least 20% by weight of the total lipid content comprises polar lipids, such as glycolipids or phospholipids, at least 30% by weight of the polar lipids comprise glycolipids, and no more than 4% by weight of the oil composition is made up of chlorophyll species. Formulations comprising the oil compositions from algal oil or extracts and methods for producing the oil compositions are also disclosed.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] [Related Applications] Not applicable.

[0002] [STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT] Not applicable. [Background technology]

[0003] Today, omega-3 oils are in high demand because aquaculture, fishing, and other marine resources alone can provide approximately 800,000 tons of omega-3 fatty acids per year for human consumption. This is below the human nutritional requirement of 1.4 million tons needed to provide the world population with 500 mg of omega-3 fatty acids daily, and will be exacerbated by population growth. Deficiency of omega-3 fatty acids has been observed worldwide, particularly affecting people living in North America, Central Europe, the Middle East, India, Brazil, and the United Kingdom, with regional and socio-economic differences found within each country. Three major omega-3 fatty acids are found in nature. Alpha linoleic acid (ALA), which has 18 carbons and three double bonds, is found, for example, in flaxseed, soybean oil, and olives. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which has 22 carbons and 6 double bonds and is important for infant development, is found in breast milk and fish oils from mammals (including humans) and grows only in aquatic species (algae). Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which has 20 carbons and 5 double bonds, also grows only in aquatic species (algae) like DHA and can be extracted from krill or fish that eat algae, or from the algae themselves.

[0004] "Working algae", i.e., algae that are grown using sunlight or artificial light and photosynthesis, contain essentially polar lipids and are bioavailable, but also contain other components that cause the oil extracted from them to appear very dark, almost black overall, and to be highly viscous, resembling a tarry black solid.

[0005] A highly bioavailable EPA-containing composition provided as a low viscosity, low chlorophyll content, light to dark amber oil for use in nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals is currently unavailable and would be highly desirable. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present disclosure relates to an EPA-rich composition with enhanced bioavailability. The starting material of the composition may be derived from algae, by way of example and without limitation. In one embodiment, a composition is disclosed that comprises a polar lipid fraction of a total lipid concentration of at least 20% by weight of total lipid, wherein the polar lipid fraction comprises at least 30% by weight of glycolipids, and the composition comprises 4% or less by weight of the composition as a chlorophyll concentrate. In a particular embodiment herein, the composition further comprises 4% or less by weight of the composition as a polysaccharide composition. Further embodiments of EPA-rich compositions with increased bioavailability and improved composition profile and resulting attributes are also disclosed.

[0007] The above embodiments provide attractive compositions for use in both the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical fields in terms of reduced opacity and viscosity, as well as other beneficial attributes.

[0008] The above compositions, in which at least 20% by weight of the total lipids is the polar lipid fraction and at least 30% by weight of said polar lipids is the glycolipid fraction, while the chlorophyll fraction is less than 4% by weight in the composition, may further comprise formulations containing additive non-polar lipids and / or dietary supplement oils such as DHA, or other beneficial additives as described in more detail below, which also help to provide a particular beneficial combination of oils with higher bioavailability, higher nutritional content, lighter color, and lower viscosity.

[0009] The present disclosure also includes a method for producing an oil composition with a low chlorophyll content, comprising the steps of obtaining an algal paste, extracting the algal paste with alcohol to form an alcohol extract of algal lipids, extracting the obtained alcohol extract (e.g., with an organic solvent such as the hydrocarbon hexane or heptane) to separate the non-polar lipid fraction and transferring the alcohol layer containing pigments and polar lipids to further processing steps, and adding water to the extracted alcohol layer (e.g., with heptane) followed by sequential extractions (e.g., with heptane) to extract the pigment fraction and separate the polar lipid fraction. Polar lipids can then be obtained from the polar lipid-containing fraction by evaporation, and pigments can also be obtained by evaporation of the pigment-containing fraction. Polysaccharides can be obtained from the polysaccharide-containing fraction by applying a short winterization stage to the fraction. Chlorophyll can also be removed from the chlorophyll-containing fraction using a suitable bleaching material.

[0010] The present disclosure also includes an alternative method of producing a low chlorophyll oil composition comprising obtaining an algal oil or extract containing both polar and non-polar lipid fractions and having a chlorophyll concentrate, the method comprising substantially separating the chlorophyll concentrate along with the non-polar lipid fraction, and further comprising using the polar properties of the polar and non-polar lipid fractions to separate polar components from non-polar components in the algal oil or extract. Additional steps include bleaching substantially all of the chlorophyll concentrate from the non-polar containing fraction, and recombining the polar and non-polar lipid fractions to produce a low chlorophyll oil composition.

[0011] These and other features of the present disclosure are explained in greater detail in the detailed description that follows. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of the extraction and bleaching process steps for an exemplary method of producing oil according to embodiments of the present disclosure; [Diagram 2] 1 is a photographic representation of an embodiment of a composition of the present disclosure having desired target polar lipid, glycolipid and chlorophyll concentrations, bioavailability, color, and viscosity of an oil composition, the embodiment of which is disclosed herein. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a photographic representation of a powder obtained by an embodiment of the disclosed method, consisting essentially of non-lipid components, including polysaccharides, contained in a crude ethanolic algal extract produced by an embodiment of the method described herein. [Figure 4] 1 is a graph showing spectral characterization of an embodiment of an ethanol extract of Nannochloropsis and the product after pigment removal, as discussed in Example 1. [Diagram 5] 1 is a graph showing UV-Vis spectral characterization for an embodiment of an algae extract as discussed in Example 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] The following detailed description is illustrative of the claimed disclosure and is not intended to be limiting. The description clearly enables one skilled in the art to make and use the claimed disclosure, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives, and applications of the claimed disclosure. It is further understood that the claimed disclosure is not limited to its application only to the details and compositions specifically described in the following description or illustrated by the drawings. The claimed disclosure is capable of other embodiments and can be practiced or carried out in various ways. It is also understood that the words and terms used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0014] As used herein, the term "polar lipid" refers to an amphipathic lipid having a hydrophilic head and a hydrophobic tail. Examples of polar lipids include phospholipids and glycolipids.

[0015] The term "non-polar lipid" as used herein refers to a fatty molecule in which the charge distribution is approximately uniform and the molecule does not have positive and negative ends. Examples of non-polar lipids include triglycerides of various fatty acids in oils, such as EPA and palmitoleic acid.

[0016] To produce the disclosed embodiments of the oil composition, an algae extract can be obtained that is provided as a highly viscous oil that is dark green or even black in color.

[0017] The procedure for obtaining an algal biomass extract, and the starting algae and extraction procedure for preparing an algal biomass, can include the following steps.

[0018] The method includes obtaining an algae paste, such as Nannochloropsis or Chlorella algae paste, extracting the algae paste with an alcohol, such as ethyl alcohol, to form an alcohol extract of algae lipids having a low water content (e.g., to form an Ethanol Extract of Nannochloropsis Lipids (hereinafter referred to as "EEN" for short)), and extracting the resulting EEN (e.g., with an organic solvent, such as the hydrocarbons hexane or heptane) to separate the non-polar lipid (e.g., triglycerides, waxes, carotenes) fraction, thereby forming a "non-polar lipid fraction (F#1 in FIG. 1)" in the heptane layer. The alcohol layer contains the pigments and polar lipids and can be moved to additional processing steps (see FIG. 1).

[0019] Subsequent processing steps may include adding water to the extracted (e.g., with heptane) alcohol layer, followed by sequential extractions (e.g., with heptane) to extract the pigment fraction (see FIG. 1, heptane layer, F#3) and to separate the polar lipid fraction (see FIG. 1, water-alcohol layer, F#2). The polar lipids may be obtained by evaporation from the F#2 fraction, and the pigments by evaporation from the F#3 fraction. The F#1 layer may contain a certain amount of chlorophyll and carotenoids, which may be removed by methods known to those skilled in the art, for example, methods known for the production of edible oils. Examples of these methods include adsorption-filtration using silica gel, bleaching clays such as B80, T41, and activated carbon. The selective removal of chlorophyll from the F#1 fraction results in a more or less liquid to semi-solid oil, which may be almost clear to dark amber in color, including red, in this embodiment.

[0020] An alternative method for obtaining algal oil or extract is disclosed in US Pat. No. 8,591,912 B1 (Kiran Kadam and Brian Goodall), the contents of both of which are incorporated herein by reference. EXAMPLES

[0021] The following examples illustrate the invention.

[0022] [Example 1] 2.1 Process Protocol for this Example (see Figure 1) 1) Weigh out 100 g of Nannochloropsis algae paste (22-27% solids in water). (Step 1, Figure 1) 2) The algae paste was placed in a 2L flask and 850ml of alcohol was added (Step 1, Figure 1). 3) The algae was extracted at 70°C for 45 minutes with vigorous stirring (Step 1, Figure 1). 4) The solid algae residue was filtered from the ethanol extract (vacuum filtration). (Step 2, Figure 1) 5) Place the ethanol extract from the previous step in a separatory funnel (2 L), add 300 mL of heptane to the resulting extract, stir vigorously for 2 minutes, separate the layers, carefully filter the top layer and place it in a separate flask to obtain about 120 mL of green heptane layer. (Step 3, Figure 1) 6) An additional 100 mL of heptane was added to the ethanol layer, stirred vigorously for 2 minutes, the layers were separated (ethanol layer-bottom, and heptane layer-top), and the top layer was carefully selected and combined with the heptane layer from the previous step (yielding ~200-220 mL of combined green heptane layer, fraction F#1) (Step 4, Figure 1). 7) 1g of silica gel was added to the obtained total heptane layer, and after vigorously stirring for 5 minutes, the slurry was filtered through a 1g layer of silica gel (instead of silica gel, activated carbon or T41 bleaching earth may be used). Due to the property differences of various silica gels, activated carbons, and bleaching earths, the actual amount of materials should be adjusted in the factory. (Step 8, Figure 1) 8) The bottom layer (ethanol layer) was removed from step 6 of this protocol, 350 mL of water and 200 mL of heptane were added, and the mixture was shaken vigorously for 2 min. The separated phases were allowed to settle for about 5 min, after which the top layer was carefully screened and placed into a separate flask (~400 mL of green heptane layer was obtained from this step). (Step 5, Figure 1) 9) Repeatedly extract the lower layer in the above step using 200 mL of heptane (3 x 200 mL). Carefully select the top layer and combine it with the heptane layer obtained from the previous step (~1000-1020 mL of combined green heptane layer was obtained, fraction F#3). (Step 5, Figure 1) 10) The extracted bottom layer contained the clarified polar lipids (F#2). This fraction can be purified, for example, by 3 g of Amaze-N bleach adsorbent or similar adsorbent (if necessary) from Helix Chromatography (15 E. Palantine Rd. #118, Prospect Heights, IL 60070; helixchrom.com). 11) The resulting fraction was evaporated in vacuum with heating below 45°C.

[0023] The above process steps and test results demonstrate a highly efficient liquid-liquid extraction method for removing chlorophyll and carotenoid fractions from algae extracts such as Nannochloropsis or Chlorella lipids. By using the above embodiment of the method of the present disclosure, not only was over 99% of chlorophyll a and b and pheophytin removed from the ethanol extract of Nannochloropsis, but also about 2 / 3 of the carotenoids (medium polar carotenoids) were removed. See Tables 2 and 3 below. Table 2: Extraction mass balance (composition) and Table 3: Main components of Nannochloropsis ethanol extract for mass and weight % analysis of composition. See Figure 4 for the spectral characteristics of the Nannochloropsis ethanol extract after pigment removal.

[0024] [Table 1]

[0025] [Table 2]

[0026] While viscosity measurements may vary depending on factors such as temperature, compositional concentrations of various components in the formulation, as described herein, after combining the polar and neutral lipid fractions at 25°C, the viscosity reading measured for an embodiment of the Nannochloropsis extract produced as described was shown to be 165,000 mPa.'s.

[0027] In summary, the product shown in Example 1 can be decomposed into three fractions of the input Nannochloropsis ethanol extract: 1) fraction (F#1), non-polar lipids, mainly triglycerides; 2) fraction (F#2), polar lipids including glycolipids and phospholipids; and 3) fraction (F#3), a medium polar fraction including diglycerides and monoglycerides, free fatty acids (FFA's), carotenoids and chlorophyll. The purified F#1 and F#2 fractions can be used as valuable lipid sources rich in palmitoleic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). F#3 is a concentrate of natural pigments including chlorophyll, astaxanthin, and zeaxanthin, etc., and is also valuable as a food additive. Fractions F#1 to F#3 can be used as food additives, respectively, and are valuable raw materials with high biological potential.

[0028] [Example 2] A dark green paste sample of algal biomass was prepared generally by the method described in U.S. Patent No. 8,591,912 B1 (see generally, column 6, line 62 to column 9, line 3). The algal biomass paste was extracted with hot absolute ethanol. Specifically, 66 g algal paste, 3×250 mL ethanol, and 75° C. for 30 minutes were stirred at 500 rpm and centrifuged at 4450 rpm for 10 minutes to obtain an algal extract sample.

[0029] Analysis of the oil extracts demonstrated that the predominant polar lipids in the algal samples were 1) glycolipids (monogalactosyldiglyceride (MGDG) and digalactosyldiglyceride (DGDG) and 2) phospholipids (phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylinositol) (see Table 4 herein).

[0030] [Table 3]

[0031] The bioavailable, low chlorophyll content, polar lipid rich oil embodiments of the present disclosure quantified herein were produced from the starting materials using the following additional steps.

[0032] 1) Polar lipids were separated from a mixture of nonpolar lipids, chlorophyll, and other components based on differences in polarity.

[0033] 2) Chlorophyll was bleached from the remaining non-polar lipid components using a well-developed protocol for bleaching vegetable oils in general, as described in Example 1 above, e.g., 1 g of silica gel was added to the total heptane layer obtained, and after vigorously stirring for 5 minutes, the slurry was filtered through a layer of 1 g of silica gel (activated carbon or T41 bleaching earth may be used instead of silica gel). Due to the property differences of various silica gels, activated carbons, and bleaching earths, the actual amounts of materials should usually be adjusted in the factory.

[0034] 3) The polar lipid fraction from step (1) above was combined with the bleached non-polar lipids from step (2) above.

[0035] Oil compositions were obtained that were generally low in viscosity, nearly clear to light brown in color, and rich in bioavailable polar lipids, with low chlorophyll content. See FIG. 5 for spectral analysis. The compositions were waxy solids at ambient temperatures of about 70° F. The compositions melt when warmed and exhibit low viscosity when mixed with other oils, such as triglycerides.

[0036] Analysis of the oil compositions of the bioavailable oil embodiments of the present disclosure produced using the above processes described herein demonstrated the results of oils having the following components and characteristics (column 1), and component ranges (column 2), as shown in Table 1.

[0037] [Table 4]

[0038] Minor variations in the weight percentages of the components and other properties of the oil disclosed in this application can be obtained by modifying the process used as known to those skilled in the art. However, preferably, the weight percentage of the polar lipid fraction in the total lipid concentrate of the produced oil is greater than 20% by weight, preferably greater than 30% by weight, more preferably greater than 40% by weight, even more preferably greater than 50% by weight, and even more preferably greater than about 70% by weight. Also, preferably, the weight percentage of chlorophyll concentrate in said oil product is less than 4% by weight of the total oil product, more preferably less than 3.0% by weight, even more preferably less than 2.0% by weight, even more preferably less than 1.0% by weight, and even more preferably less than about 0.1% by weight. Also, preferably, the weight percentage of polysaccharide concentrate in said oil product is less than about 4% by weight of the total oil product, more preferably less than 3.0% by weight, even more preferably less than 2.0% by weight, and even more preferably less than 1.0% by weight or less. Furthermore, the weight percent of glycolipids as a weight percent of total polar lipids is greater than 20%, preferably greater than 30%, more preferably greater than about 40%, even more preferably greater than 50%, even more preferably greater than about 60%, and the weight percent of glycolipids in the total oil composition is greater than 10%, more preferably greater than 20%, even more preferably greater than about 25%. Furthermore, the weight percent of phospholipids as a weight percent of polar lipids is greater than 20%, more preferably greater than 30%, even more preferably greater than 35%, and the weight percent of phospholipids in the total oil composition is greater than 20%, more preferably greater than 30%, even more preferably greater than 40%. Without being bound to any particular theory, applicants believe that the combination of these properties, including the very low chlorophyll concentration in the oil product, produces an attractive light, almost transparent amber color to a darker amber color. Also, the concentration of EPA in the total oil product content is at least 20% by weight, more preferably at least 25% by weight, and even more preferably at least about 30% by weight or more is produced. Similarly, the omega-3 content in the oil product is at least 20% by weight, more preferably at least 25% by weight, and even more preferably at least about 30% by weight or more. Improved bioavailability of the oil produced is also achieved.

[0039] Additionally, embodiments of the disclosed process result in a powder of non-lipid components, such as polysaccharides, in the crude ethanolic algal extract. See FIG.

[0040] It should also be noted that the EPA-containing high polar content oils of the present disclosure have a significantly reduced weight percentage of chlorophyll, such as: 1) chlorophyll a, 2) protochlorophyll a, and 3) methyl chlorophyllide. Preferably, the weight percentage of chlorophyll in the composition is less than 4% of the total weight percentage of the composition, preferably less than 3%, more preferably less than 2%, even more preferably less than 1%, even more preferably less than 0.5%, and even more preferably less than about 0.1%.

[0041] In another embodiment of the composition of the present disclosure, the composition has an increased weight percentage of carotenoids, e.g., carotene (alpha and beta), and zeaxanthin (yellow pigments), and several other components including canthaxanthin and zeaxanthin (red pigments), with the total carotenoids comprising greater than 0.5% of the total weight of the extract, preferably 1% or more.

[0042] In another alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the oil composition with high bioavailable polar lipids and low chlorophyll content including EPA, which is an embodiment disclosed herein, can be provided as a formulation to which other useful ingredients are added. These other useful ingredients can be added alone or in combination with one or more other ingredients, such as other essential oils, dietary supplements, and dietary supplements. Specific examples include, but are not limited to: 1) other omega-3-containing oils or ingredients, such as DHA and EPA (e.g., in the form of neutral lipids extracted as a product of the present invention or supplied exogenously), lysolipids from the present invention, or ethyl esters of DHA or EPA supplied exogenously; 2) antioxidants, such as carotenoids (including the carotenoid fractions of the present invention), including astaxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene, carotene (alpha and beta), cryptoxanthin, and mixtures thereof; 3) vitamins, such as vitamins C and D; 4) cannabinoids, such as cannabidiol (CBD); and 5) other combinations. It is understood that such formulations containing some of these species with less colored and / or less viscous compositional profiles can reduce the overall color profile and viscosity of formulations containing fatty acid compositions with high polar lipids, high glycolipids, and low chlorophyll concentrations produced by embodiments of the methods disclosed herein. Thus, this can be accomplished, for example, by including non-polar lipids re-added from the original biomass stock or an external source, or by producing formulations that exhibit such attributes.

[0043] An example of a dietary supplement formulation comprising a blend of the polar EPA fractions described above with DHA (omega-3) may advantageously be in a 10-90 or 90-10 ratio, where the preferred level of the polar EPA formulation component is mixed at 20-50%. Applications of such formulations include use as a delivery system for other neutral lipids and ingredients to be formulated with the primary dietary / health supplement for cardiovascular health, mood, antidepressant, etc. This may be DHA, other neutral forms of EPA, or mixtures thereof. Astaxanthin at levels of 10-60% may also be advantageously formulated with pure polar EPA lipids or blends thereof with neutral EPA and / or EPA, preferably at levels of 10-30%. Another component that may be advantageously added to such formulations is coenzyme Q10 at levels of about 1-50%, preferably about 2-20%, relative to the polar EPA, either pure or in said formulations.

[0044] In addition to other attributes, formulation blends with added neutral lipids may be useful for targeting various viscosity levels, such as, for example, less than 50,000 mPa·s, preferably less than 10,000 mPa·s, more preferably less than about 2,000 mPa·s, and most preferably less than about 300 mPa·s.

[0045] In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects and advantages of the disclosure are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

[0046] Since various modifications may be made to the above configurations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. [Item 1] A composition comprising a total lipid concentrate, wherein at least 50% by weight of said total lipid concentrate comprises a polar lipid fraction, said polar lipid fraction comprising at least 40% glycolipids by weight of said polar lipid fraction, and wherein said composition comprises about 0.1% or less of its total weight as a chlorophyll concentrate. [Item 2] 1. A composition comprising a total lipid concentrate, wherein at least 50% by weight of said total lipid concentrate comprises a polar lipid fraction, said polar lipid fraction comprising at least 40% glycolipids by weight of said polar lipid fraction, said composition comprising about 1% or less by weight of said total lipid concentrate as chlorophyll concentrate, and said composition exhibiting a clear to deep amber color in ambient light. [Item 3] A composition comprising a total lipid concentrate, wherein at least 50% by weight of the total lipid concentrate comprises a polar lipid fraction, and greater than about 50% by weight of the polar lipid fraction comprises glycolipids, at least 25% by weight of the total lipid concentrate comprises an EPA concentrate, and 1% or less by weight of the composition comprises a chlorophyll concentrate. [Item 4] Item 4. The composition according to item 3, wherein the composition contains 0.5% or less of its weight percent as chlorophyll concentrate. [Item 5] 5. The composition according to claim 4, wherein the composition contains 0.1% or less of its weight percent as chlorophyll concentrate. [Item 6] 4. The composition according to claim 3, wherein the composition comprises about 1% or less polysaccharides by weight. [Item 7] 4. The composition of claim 3, wherein the composition exhibits a clear to deep amber color in ambient light. [Item 8] The composition according to item 3, wherein the composition further comprises at least about 30% by weight of a total lipid concentrate as an EPA concentrate. [Item 9] 1. A formulation comprising: A composition comprising a total lipid concentrate, wherein at least 20% by weight of the total lipid concentrate comprises a polar lipid fraction, and the polar lipid fraction comprises greater than about 30% by weight of glycolipids, and the composition of the formulation comprises 0.1% or less of its weight as a chlorophyll concentrate; and one or more additives, The one or more additives are selected from the group consisting of an omega-3-containing oil selected from the group consisting of oils containing one or both of ALA and DHA, antioxidants, vitamins, and cannabinoids. formulation. [Item 10] A composition comprising a total lipid concentrate, wherein at least 20% by weight of said total lipid concentrate comprises a polar lipid fraction, and greater than about 30% by weight of said polar lipid fraction comprises glycolipids, said composition comprising 1.0% or less by weight of said composition as a chlorophyll concentrate, and having a clear to deep amber color. [Item 11] 11. The composition according to claim 10, wherein the composition has a total lipid concentrate of at least about 75% by weight of the total composition. [Item 12] 11. The composition according to claim 10, wherein the composition has a total lipid concentrate of at least about 90% by weight of the total composition. [Item 13] 11. The composition of claim 10, wherein at least about 50% by weight of the total lipid concentrate comprises a polar lipid fraction. [Item 14] 11. The composition of claim 10, wherein the composition further comprises at least about 20% total omega-3 by weight. [Item 15] Item 15. The composition of item 14, wherein the weight percent of total omega-3 in the composition comprises at least about 30% by weight. [Item 16] 11. The composition of claim 10, wherein the composition further comprises at least about 20% total EPA by weight. [Item 17] 11. The composition of claim 10, wherein the glycolipid comprises at least about 60% by weight of its polar lipids. [Item 18] 11. The composition of claim 10, wherein the composition comprises at least about 20% glycolipid by weight. [Item 19] 11. The composition of claim 10, wherein the composition comprises at least about 40% glycolipid by weight. [Item 20] 11. The composition of claim 10, wherein the composition further comprises, as a weight percent of the polar lipid, a phospholipid comprising at least about 40% of the polar lipid by weight. [Item 21] 21. The composition of claim 20, wherein the phospholipid comprises at least about 60% by weight of its polar lipids. [Item 22] 11. The composition of claim 10, wherein the composition comprises at least about 20% by weight of phospholipids. [Item 23] 23. The composition of claim 22, wherein the composition comprises at least about 40% by weight of phospholipids. [Item 24] 11. The composition of claim 10, wherein the composition comprises about 4% or less polysaccharides by weight. [Item 25] 25. The composition of claim 24, wherein the composition comprises about 2% or less polysaccharides by weight. [Item 26] 11. The composition according to claim 10, characterized in that the composition has a viscous to waxy oil texture at about 70°F. [Item 27] 1. A composition comprising a total lipid concentrate, wherein at least 50% by weight of said total lipid concentrate comprises a polar lipid fraction, said polar lipid fraction comprising at least 40% glycolipids by weight of said polar lipid fraction, said composition comprising 1.0% or less by weight of said composition as chlorophyll concentrate, and having a clear to deep amber color. [Item 28] 28. The composition according to item 27, wherein the total composition comprises at least about 20% glycolipid by weight. [Item 29] 29. The composition of claim 28, wherein the total composition comprises at least about 40% glycolipid by weight. [Item 30] 28. The composition according to claim 27, wherein the composition has a total lipid concentrate of at least about 75% by weight of the total composition. [Item 31] 31. The composition according to claim 30, wherein the composition has a total lipid concentrate of at least about 90% by weight of the total composition. [Item 32] 28. The composition of claim 27, wherein at least about 70% by weight of the total lipid concentrate comprises a polar lipid fraction. [Item 33] 28. The composition of claim 27, wherein the composition further comprises at least about 20% total omega-3 by weight. [Item 34] 34. The composition of claim 33, wherein the weight percent of total omega-3 in the composition is at least about 30%. [Item 35] 28. The composition of claim 27, wherein the composition further comprises at least about 20% total EPA by weight. [Item 36] 28. The composition of claim 27, wherein the composition further comprises at least about 40% phospholipid by weight of its polar lipid. [Item 37] 37. The composition of claim 36, wherein the phospholipid comprises at least about 60% by weight of its polar lipids. [Item 38] 28. The composition according to item 27, wherein the composition comprises at least about 20% by weight of phospholipids. [Item 39] Item 39. The composition of item 38, wherein the composition comprises at least about 40% by weight of phospholipids. [Item 40] 28. The composition according to claim 27, wherein the composition comprises about 4% or less polysaccharides by weight. [Item 41] 41. The composition of claim 40, wherein the composition comprises about 1% or less polysaccharides by weight. [Item 42] 28. The composition according to claim 27, wherein the composition has a viscous to waxy oil texture at about 70°F. [Item 43] 1. A method for producing an oil composition having a low chlorophyll content and an increased polar lipid content, the method comprising: a. obtaining an algal biomass; b. extracting the algal biomass with alcohol to form an alcoholic extract of algal lipids having a low moisture content; c. further extracting the alcoholic extract with an organic solvent to separate the non-polar lipid fraction, thereby substantially removing the non-polar lipid fraction in the organic solvent layer; d. separating the alcohol layer containing the dye and polar lipids; e. adding water to the alcohol layer and then sequentially extracting with the organic solvent to substantially remove the pigment fraction and form a water-alcohol layer containing the polar lipids; f. separating the polar lipid fraction from said aqueous-alcoholic layer by evaporation to produce an oil composition with reduced chlorophyll and increased polar lipid content. [Item 44] 44. The method of claim 43, wherein the alcohol is ethanol. [Item 45] Item 44. The method of item 43, wherein the organic solvent is hexane or heptane. [Item 46] Item 44. The method of item 43, wherein the method further comprises the step of forming a dye concentrate by evaporation of the dye-containing fraction. [Item 47] Item 47. The method of item 46, wherein the pigment concentrate comprises carotenoids and chlorophyll. [Item 48] 44. The method of claim 43, wherein the non-polar lipid fraction comprises triglycerides. [Item 49] 44. The method of claim 43, wherein the polar lipid fraction comprises glycolipids and phospholipids. [Item 50] 44. The method of claim 43, wherein the polar lipid fraction comprises EPA. [Item 51] 44. The method of claim 43, wherein the polar lipid fraction comprises palmitoleic acid. [Item 52] Item 44. The method of item 43, wherein the polar lipid fraction contains about 4% or less chlorophyll by weight. [Item 53] Item 44. The method of item 43, wherein the polar lipid fraction contains about 2% or less chlorophyll by weight. [Item 54] Item 44. The method of item 43, wherein the polar lipid fraction contains about 1% or less chlorophyll by weight. [Item 55] Item 44. The method of item 43, wherein the polar lipid fraction contains about 0.1% or less chlorophyll by weight. [Item 56] 44. The method of claim 43, wherein the algal biomass is obtained from Nannochloropsis or Chlorella algae. [Item 57] Item 48. The method of item 47, wherein the carotenoids include α-carotene and β-carotene. [Item 58] Item 48. The method of item 47, wherein the carotenoid comprises zeaxanthin (a yellow pigment). [Item 59] Item 48. The method of item 47, wherein the carotenoid comprises canthaxanthin. [Item 60] 48. The method of claim 47, wherein the carotenoids comprise more than 0.5% of the total weight of the extract. [Item 61] 48. The method of claim 47, wherein the carotenoids comprise more than 1% of the total weight of the extract. [Item 62] 44. The method of claim 43, wherein the isolated polar lipid fraction of the produced low chlorophyll and increased polar lipid content oil composition is 20% or more by weight of its total lipid content. [Item 63] 44. The method of claim 43, wherein the isolated polar lipid fraction of the produced low chlorophyll and increased polar lipid oil composition has 20% or more glycolipids by weight. [Item 64] 44. The method of claim 43, wherein the isolated, produced oil composition having a low chlorophyll content and an increased polar lipid content has a total lipid content of 10% or more by weight of glycolipids. [Item 65] 44. The method of claim 43, wherein the isolated oil composition having a low chlorophyll content and an increased polar lipid content has a polar lipid fraction of at least 40% by weight, the polar lipid fraction having a glycolipid fraction of 30% or more by weight, and the total lipid content of the oil composition has a glycolipid fraction of 20% or more by weight. [Item 66] 44. The method of claim 43, wherein the isolated oil composition produced with a low chlorophyll content and an increased polar lipid content has a polar lipid fraction of the total lipids of at least 70%, a total omega-3 fraction of at least 30%, an EPA fraction of at least 20%, a glycolipid fraction of the total polar lipids of at least 30%, a glycolipid fraction of the total oil product of at least 20%, a phospholipid fraction of the total polar lipid concentrate of at least 20%, and a total phospholipid fraction of the total oil product of at least 15%, all by weight. [Item 67] 44. The method according to claim 43, which does not include the addition of strong inorganic acids in any of the processing steps.

Claims

1. A composition comprising a total lipid concentrate obtained from Nannochloropsis, wherein at least 50% by weight of said total lipid concentrate comprises a polar lipid fraction, said polar lipid fraction comprising at least 40% glycolipids by weight of said polar lipid fraction, and wherein the amount of chlorophyll contained in said composition is 0.1% or less of its total weight percent.

2. A composition comprising a total lipid concentrate obtained from Nannochloropsis, wherein at least 50% by weight of said total lipid concentrate comprises a polar lipid fraction, said polar lipid fraction comprising at least 40% glycolipids by weight of said polar lipid fraction, said composition containing 1% or less of its weight percent chlorophyll, and said composition exhibiting a clear to deep amber color in ambient light.

3. A composition comprising a total lipid concentrate obtained from Nannochloropsis, wherein at least 50% by weight of said total lipid concentrate comprises a polar lipid fraction, and more than 50% by weight of said polar lipid fraction comprises glycolipids, and at least 25% by weight of said total lipid concentrate comprises an EPA concentrate, and the amount of chlorophyll contained in said composition is 1% or less of said weight percentage.

4. The composition of claim 3, wherein the composition contains chlorophyll in an amount of 0.5% or less by weight.

5. The composition of claim 4, wherein the composition contains chlorophyll in an amount of 0.1% or less by weight.

6. The composition of claim 3 , wherein the composition comprises no more than 1% polysaccharides by weight.

7. The composition of claim 3 , wherein the composition exhibits a clear to deep amber color in ambient light.

8. The composition of claim 3, wherein the composition further comprises at least 30% by weight of a total lipid concentrate as an EPA concentrate.

9. A composition comprising a total lipid concentrate obtained from Nannochloropsis, wherein at least 20% by weight of said total lipid concentrate comprises a polar lipid fraction and greater than 30% by weight of said polar lipid fraction comprises glycolipids, said composition contains chlorophyll in an amount not greater than 1.0% by weight of said composition, and said composition is clear to deep amber in color.

10. 10. The composition of claim 9, wherein the composition has a total lipid concentrate of at least 75% by weight of the total composition.

11. 10. The composition of claim 9, wherein the composition has a total lipid concentrate of at least 90% by weight of the total composition.

12. 10. The composition of claim 9, wherein at least 50% by weight of the total lipid concentrate comprises a polar lipid fraction.

13. 10. The composition of claim 9, wherein the composition further comprises at least 20% total omega-3 by weight.

14. 14. The composition of claim 13, wherein the weight percent of total omega-3 in the composition comprises at least 30% by weight.

15. 10. The composition of claim 9, wherein the composition further comprises at least 20% total EPA by weight.

16. 10. The composition of claim 9, wherein the glycolipid comprises at least 60% by weight of its polar lipids.

17. The composition of claim 9 , wherein the composition comprises at least 20% glycolipid by weight.

18. The composition of claim 9 , wherein the composition comprises at least 40% glycolipid by weight.

19. 10. The composition of claim 9, wherein the composition further comprises, as a weight percentage of said polar lipid, a phospholipid comprising at least 40% of said polar lipid by weight.

20. 20. The composition of claim 19, wherein the phospholipids comprise at least 60% by weight of the polar lipids.

21. The composition of claim 9 , wherein the composition comprises at least 20% phospholipid by weight.

22. 22. The composition of claim 21, wherein the composition comprises at least 40% phospholipid by weight.

23. 10. The composition of claim 9, wherein the composition comprises no more than 4% polysaccharides by weight.

24. 24. The composition of claim 23, wherein the composition comprises no more than 2% polysaccharides by weight.

25. 10. The composition of claim 9, wherein the composition has a viscous to waxy oil texture at 70°F.

26. A composition comprising a total lipid concentrate obtained from Nannochloropsis, wherein at least 50% by weight of said total lipid concentrate comprises a polar lipid fraction, said polar lipid fraction comprising at least 40% glycolipids by weight of said polar lipid fraction, said composition comprising chlorophyll in an amount not exceeding 1.0% by weight of said polar lipid fraction, and said composition being clear to deep amber in color.

27. 27. The composition of claim 26, wherein the total composition comprises at least 20% glycolipid by weight.

28. 28. The composition of claim 27, wherein the total composition comprises at least 40% glycolipid by weight.

29. 27. The composition of claim 26, wherein the composition has a total lipid concentrate of at least 75% by weight of the total composition.

30. 30. The composition of claim 29, wherein the composition has a total lipid concentrate of at least 90% by weight of the total composition.

31. 27. The composition of claim 26, wherein at least 70% by weight of the total lipid concentrate comprises a polar lipid fraction.

32. 27. The composition of claim 26, wherein the composition further comprises at least 20% total omega-3 by weight.

33. 33. The composition of claim 32, wherein the weight percent of total omega-3 in the composition comprises at least 30%.

34. 27. The composition of claim 26, wherein the composition further comprises at least 20% total EPA by weight.

35. 27. The composition of claim 26, wherein the composition further comprises at least 40% phospholipid by weight of its polar lipids.

36. 36. The composition of claim 35, wherein the phospholipid comprises at least 60% by weight of its polar lipids.

37. 27. The composition of claim 26, wherein the composition comprises at least 20% phospholipid by weight.

38. 38. The composition of claim 37, wherein the composition comprises at least 40% phospholipid by weight.

39. 27. The composition of claim 26, wherein the composition comprises no more than 4% polysaccharides by weight.

40. 40. The composition of claim 39, wherein the composition comprises no more than 1% polysaccharides by weight.

41. 27. The composition of claim 26, wherein the composition has a viscous to waxy oil texture at 70°F.

42. 42. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 41, wherein the composition comprises more than 0.5% carotenoid by total weight of the composition.

43. 42. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 41, wherein the composition comprises more than 1% carotenoid by total weight of the composition.

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