Lipid extraction system and method from biomass raw materials

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a system and a method for extracting valuable matter from a biomass raw material. [Solution] The present invention comprises: a culture device 301 for culturing microorganisms 201; a concentration device 302 for concentrating the cultured microorganisms 201; a solubilization treatment device 303 that subjects concentrated microorganisms 201A which have been concentrated to a hydrothermal solubilization treatment; a filtration device 304 that filters a solubilization treated liquid 211 from the solubilization treatment device 303; a drying device 305 that dries a microorganism filtered product 201B from the filtration device 304 to obtain a microorganism dried product 201C; and an extraction device 306 that extracts, in an extraction solvent 215, a valuable component in the microorganism dried product 201C.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an extraction system and method for Lipids extracted from biomass raw materials for extracting Lipids contained in biomass.

Background Art

[0002] In order to solve global resource problems such as energy and food, and environmental problems such as an increase in CO2 emissions, and to realize a sustainable world, biomass such as microorganisms has attracted attention. The energy efficiency of microbial production is very high compared to other animals and plants. For such microorganisms, not only the technology for culturing them, but also the technology for efficiently obtaining Lipids components from each component contained in the microorganisms after culturing at low cost has become an important issue.

[0003] In order to obtain each component contained in microorganisms, generally, after concentrating the culture solution containing microorganisms, it is necessary to first remove the moisture of the concentrated solution by drying means such as a dryer or sunlight to create dried algal bodies. Thereafter, an extraction solvent is added to the dried algal bodies and mixed. After transferring the component to be obtained to the extraction solvent, the algal bodies and the extraction solvent are separated by filtration or the like, and the extraction solvent is removed from the obtained filtrate by vacuum distillation or drying or the like to obtain the component to be obtained. Specifically, as a method for extracting hydrocarbons from microorganisms, conventionally, wet algal bodies taken out from a culture solution of microorganisms by filtration or the like are freeze-dried or heated and dried, and then this dried algal body is immersed in a solvent such as n-hexane, methanol-chloroform (1:1) to extract hydrocarbons (Phytochemistry, vol. 19, 1081-1085, 1980) has been carried out (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

[0005] However, proposals like the one in Patent Document 1 have the problem that drying the concentrated liquid requires a lot of energy and time, leading to increased production costs and decreased production efficiency. On the other hand, if the concentrate is not dried, or if the concentrate is not dried sufficiently, the raw materials retain moisture, preventing the solvent from effectively contacting them and resulting in poor extraction efficiency.

[0006] Furthermore, when soluble substances are eluted into the culture medium of a cultured microbial culture, Lipids Even when the extraction efficiency decreases, the soluble substances are extracted from Lipids There is a strong desire to efficiently extract this information.

[0007] In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a method for extracting various components contained in biomass, such as microorganisms, from biomass raw materials at low cost and efficiently. Lipids The present invention provides an extraction system and method. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] From biomass raw materials according to one embodiment of the present invention Lipids The extraction system is A culture device for culturing microorganisms, A concentration device for concentrating the cultured microorganisms, A solubilization apparatus for hydrothermally solubilizing concentrated microorganisms, A filtration device for filtering the solubilized liquid from the solubilization apparatus, A drying apparatus for drying the microbial filtrate from the aforementioned filtration apparatus to obtain a microbial dry product, An extraction apparatus for extracting lipid components from the microbial dry matter into an extraction solvent, Equipped with, In the aforementioned concentration apparatus, the solution is concentrated before the cells are damaged by the concentration apparatus, and the resulting concentrated solution The aforementionedThe cells are damaged, and the soluble substance DSc derived from cell components has increased in the concentrated solution. The damage state of the cells in the concentrated solution is The aforementioned The cell rupture rate is 1% or more. The rupture rate is represented by the following formula (1): Rupture rate = DSc / TSc ···(1) Here, in formula (1), TSc means The aforementioned TS derived from cell (Cell) components. TSc = TS - stock solution DS and The unit is g / L, calculated by dividing the weight of the dry material (g) remaining after evaporating the water in the filtrate during cell concentration (SS) measurement by the volume of the filtrate (L). The soluble substance (DS) is The concentrated solution is placed in a container, its dry weight (g) is measured, and this dry weight is divided by the volume of solution used for evaporation (L). The total solids (TS), expressed in units of g / L, is then subtracted from the cell concentration (SS), expressed in units of g / L. DSc means The aforementioned DS derived from cell (Cell) components. DSc = DS - stock solution DS which is characterized by.

[0009] The method for extracting lipids from biomass raw materials in other embodiments is a microbial culture step of culturing microorganisms, a concentration step of concentrating the cultured microorganisms, a solubilization treatment step of subjecting the concentrated microorganisms to hydrothermal solubilization treatment, a filtration step of filtering the solubilization treatment solution from the solubilization treatment step, a drying step of drying the microbial filtrate from the filtration device to obtain a microbial dried product, an extraction step of extracting the lipid component in the microbial dried product into an extraction solvent, and In the concentration step, the solution before the cells are damaged in the concentration step is concentrated, and in the obtained concentrated solution The aforementioned the cells are damaged, and the soluble substance DSc derived from cell components has increased in the concentrated solution. The damage state of the cells in the concentrated solution is The aforementioned The cell rupture rate is 1% or more. The rupture rate is represented by the following formula (1): Rupture rate = DSc / TSc ···(1) Here, in formula (1), TSc refers to The aforementioned TS derived from cell components, TSc = TS - stock solution DS and 1] The unit is g / L, calculated by dividing the weight of the dry material (g) remaining after evaporating the water in the filtrate during cell concentration (SS) measurement by the volume of the filtrate (L). the soluble substance (DS) refers to The concentrated solution is placed in a container, its dry weight (g) is measured, and this dry weight is divided by the volume of solution used for evaporation (L). The total solids (TS), expressed in units of g / L, is then subtracted from the cell concentration (SS), expressed in units of g / L. DSc refers to The aforementioned DS derived from cell components, DSc = DS - stock solution DS. It is characterized by this.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, when concentrating a culture solution or the like, even if damage occurs due to stress on the cells and soluble substances elute into the culture solution, by performing hydrothermal treatment after concentration and then extracting, the extraction rate is improved compared to drying the culture solution in a non - damaged state. [[ID=三十]]

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011] [Figure 1A] It is a schematic diagram of a lipid extraction system from a biomass raw material according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1B] It is a schematic diagram of a lipid extraction system from another biomass raw material according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2A] It is a schematic process diagram of a lipid extraction method from a biomass raw material according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2B] It is a schematic process diagram of a lipid extraction method from another biomass raw material according to an embodiment of the present invention. c [Figure 3] It is a schematic diagram showing a state where cells in the culture solution are damaged and the soluble substance (DS) increases. [Figure 4] It is a schematic process diagram using a lipid extraction device from a biomass raw material according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing an example of a solubilization treatment device. [Figure 6]This is a schematic diagram showing the state of cells before and after rupture and after hydrothermal treatment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments described herein, the same reference numerals are used for the same components throughout the text.

[0013] Figure 1A shows the biomass raw material from an embodiment of the present invention. Lipids Figure 1B is a schematic diagram of the extraction system. Figure 1B shows an embodiment of the present invention from other biomass raw materials. Lipids This is a schematic diagram of the extraction system. Figure 2A shows the extraction system from biomass raw materials according to the embodiment. Lipids This is a schematic process diagram of the extraction method. Figure 2B shows the extraction method from other biomass raw materials in this embodiment. Lipids This is a schematic diagram of the extraction method.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1A, the embodiment of the present invention from biomass raw materials Lipids The extraction system 200A includes a culture device (hereinafter also referred to as "culture device") 301 for culturing microorganisms 201, a concentration device 302 for concentrating the cultured microorganisms 201, a solubilization device 303 for hydrothermally solubilizing the concentrated microorganisms 201A, a filter 304 for filtering the solubilization treatment liquid 211 from the solubilization device 303, a drying device 305 for drying the microbial filtrate 201B from the filter 304 to obtain microbial dry product 201C, and a microbial dry product 201C Lipids The components are extracted into the extraction solvent 215. Lipids The system includes an extraction device 306 for obtaining the dissolving solution 201D.

[0015] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1B, the biomass raw material of the embodiment of the present invention Lipids The extraction system 200B, as shown in Figure 1A, further acquires from the extraction device 306 in 200A. Lipids Dissolving solution 201D Lipid 2 Retrieve 14 LipidsA recovery device 307 may also be provided.

[0016] In this invention, microorganisms include, for example, microalgae, bacteria, animal cells, and fungi (yeast, mold). Examples of these microorganisms include, but are not limited to, Chlamydomonas, Nannochloropsis, Botryococcus, Icabra, and Lipomyces.

[0017] This microorganism produces fat These are compounds that are insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents. Examples include fatty acids, neutral fats, triacylglycerols (TAGs), phospholipids, glycolipids, and sterols. Other examples include proteins and sugars. also raise It can be done.

[0018] As shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the extraction systems 200A and 200B may consist of individual components that exist independently, or they may utilize multiple components in a single system.

[0019] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1A, there is a solubilization treatment filtration device 304 that filters the solubilization treatment liquid 211, which is the solubilized product from the solubilization treatment device 202, a drying device 305 that dries the filtered product (wet cake) 201B obtained by the filtration device 304, and a drying device 305 that dries the dried product (dried cake) 201C obtained by the drying device 305. Lipids A biomass processing device 204 may be used that performs the functions of both an extraction device 306 for extracting 214 into a solvent and a biomass processing device 204 within a single device (details will be described later).

[0020] Next, we will explain the biomass processing process using Figure 2A. As shown in Figure 2A, the embodiment of biomass raw materials LipidsThe extraction method comprises a microbial culture step (S-11) for culturing microorganism 201, a concentration step (S-12) for concentrating the cultured microorganism 201, a solubilization step (S-13) for hydrothermally solubilizing the concentrated microorganism 201A, a filtration step (S-14) for filtering the solubilization solution 211 from the solubilization step (S-13), a drying step (S-15) for drying the microbial filter product 201B from the filtration step (S-14) to obtain a microbial dry product 201C, and the microbial dry product 201C Lipids The components are extracted into the extraction solvent 215. Lipids Use dissolving solution 201D. Lipids The process includes a component extraction step (S-16).

[0021] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2B, obtained from the extraction process (S-16) Lipids Dissolving solution 201D Lipid 2 Retrieve 14 Lipids The process may also include a recovery step (S-17).

[0022] In addition, Lipids Component extraction process (S16) Lipids In the extraction process, a nonpolar solvent (e.g., hexane) is used. Lipids Perform extraction. The solubilization treatment apparatus 303 is also called a hydrothermal solubilization treatment apparatus or a soft hydrothermal treatment apparatus (details will be described later).

[0023] The culture apparatus 301 is a device for culturing microorganisms, and includes a "closed-type culture apparatus" for culturing in a sealed container (space) and an "open-type culture apparatus" for culturing large quantities in an outdoor tank (pool). Examples of sealed-container culture apparatuses include closed-type photobioreactors made of glass or resin, but are not particularly limited.

[0024] The concentration device 302 is not particularly limited as long as it is a concentration device for the culture medium cultured in the culture device 301. Examples include a centrifuge and a membrane separation device (hollow fiber membrane separation device, ceramic membrane separation device), but it is not particularly limited.

[0025] In this concentration apparatus 302, cells in the culture medium may be destroyed, ruptured, or damaged (hereinafter collectively referred to as "damaged" in this embodiment) during the concentration process (S-12). When dried in this damaged state, the lipid extraction rate from the dried material decreases. Surprisingly, however, even in the damaged state, hydrothermal treatment with the solubilization apparatus 303 improved the lipid extraction rate compared to the undamaged state.

[0026] Furthermore, damage to cells in the culture medium is not limited to damage caused by the concentration device. Microbial cells are damaged in the following cases: 1) Damage to the culture medium when transporting it using transport means such as pumps. 2) Damage during compaction while centrifugal operation with a centrifuge This is because the culture medium can be damaged by pressure even while it is being centrifuged. 3) Damage caused by turbulence when introducing culture medium into the centrifuge 4) Damage caused by pressure during membrane concentration when separating culture medium via membrane, other than centrifugation. This is because the membrane (filter) is damaged by pressure when microorganisms are concentrated. There are two types of membrane filtration: dead-end and cross-flow. Cross-flow filtration is less prone to clogging, and is often used for concentration. In cross-flow filtration, the concentrate is concentrated while the stock solution is circulated. 5) Damage to microorganisms when concentrating them in filtration operations using membranes such as hollow fibers. This is because cells are damaged by the pressure applied when passing through the hollow fiber membrane. In other words, since microorganisms cannot pass through the membrane's pores, the membrane allows only the solution to pass through, and the microorganisms that do not pass through become concentrated, causing damage during this process. 6) Damage caused by storage conditions after culturing microorganisms This damage occurs during storage due to environmental changes such as temperature. In other words, temperature changes damage the cells, leading to damage. For example, when storing culture media outdoors, temperatures can exceed 30°C. Such temperature increases can damage cells, causing them to die and become incapacitated. 7) Damage caused by shear force during agitation of the culture medium 8) Damage caused by temperature changes when storing the culture medium in a tank This is achieved by storing the cultured samples in an external tank for a predetermined period of time after the culture is complete.

[0027] In addition to damage, the greater the heat applied to the microorganisms (algae) during the heat treatment in the centrifuge during concentration, the higher the lipid extraction rate from the algae after hydrothermal treatment.

[0028] In this invention, "damage" refers to a state in which the structure of the substance covering the cell contents, such as the cell membrane or cell wall, changes, making it easier for the contents to escape compared to when the cell is alive. This also includes a state in which the covering of the cell contents is gone and the contents are completely outside.

[0029] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which cells in a culture medium are damaged and soluble substances (DS) increase. In Figure 3, the left side (Figure 3(A)) is a schematic diagram of the state before cell damage, and the right side (Figure 3(B)) is a schematic diagram of the state after cell damage has occurred. In Figure 3, cell concentration (SS) refers to the value obtained by dividing the weight of the dry material (g) remaining on the filter after filtering the cell-containing solution by the volume (L) of the filtered cell-containing solution. "Total solid matter (TS (SS+DS=TS))", which is the sum of "cell concentration (SS)" and "soluble substances (DS)", is defined as the value obtained by dividing the "weight of the dry material remaining after evaporating the water in the cell-containing solution (g)" X by the "volume of the cell-containing solution (L)" Y (X / Y). "Dissolved substances (DS)" refers to the value obtained by dividing the weight of the dry material (g) remaining after evaporating the water in the filtrate during SS measurement by the volume of the filtrate (L), or the value obtained by subtracting SS from TS. Based on the above, "damage" refers to cell damage when soluble substances (DS) increase after a process that can cause damage. In the case of a process that does not concentrate cells, damage is indicated when SS decreases and soluble substances (DS) increase.

[0030] Here, we will explain how to quantify the degree of cell damage in the concentrated solution using a parameter called "burst rate." In this invention, the "rupture rate indicating the degree of cell damage and rupture" is derived by the following formula (1). Rupture rate=DSc / TSc (1) Here, TSc = TS - stock solution DS In other words, TSc refers to TS derived from cell components. Also, DSc = DS - undiluted solution DS In other words, DSc refers to DS derived from cell components. TS:Total Solid DS:Dissolved Solid

[0031] Furthermore, to calculate the bursting rate more accurately, it is preferable that the DS of the stock solution matches the concentration of the culture medium components.

[0032] Furthermore, if water is added during concentration in the concentration device 302, the concentration of the raw solution DS decreases due to the addition of water, making it impossible to calculate the bursting rate of the concentrated solution using the above formula (1). Therefore, when adding water during concentration, it is necessary to calculate the bursting rate taking into account the value of the raw solution DS that has decreased due to the added water.

[0033] Here, we will explain an example of a method for measuring cell concentration (SS). First, the concentrated liquid obtained by the concentration device 302, either diluted or after hydrothermal treatment, is filtered under reduced pressure using a filtration device (e.g., glass fiber filter paper), and then washed at least three times with distilled water. do . Subsequently, the material is dried for at least one hour in a forced-air constant-temperature drying oven set to, for example, 105-110°C. The dry weight (g) of the solid remaining on the glass fiber filter paper is measured, and this dry weight is divided by the volume of filtered solution (L) to obtain the cell concentration (SS).

[0034] An example of a method for measuring total solids (TS) is described below. The concentrated liquid obtained by the concentration device 302 or the liquid after solubilization treatment (hydrothermal treatment) in the solubilization device 303 is placed, for example, in an aluminum container and dried for at least one hour in a forced-air constant-temperature drying oven set to 105-110°C. The dry weight (g) is measured, and this dry weight is divided by the amount of solution used for evaporation (L) to obtain the total solids (TS).

[0035] Here, as will be described later, the bursting rate of the concentrated solutions used in the test example and comparative examples 1 and 2 was 32%.

[0036] The range of rupture rates considered as damage refers to conditions where the rupture rate is 1% or higher.

[0037] As shown in the left figure of Figure 3 (Figure 3(A)), if the concentration of solids (SS: cells) 401 in the culture medium 400 is 10 parts before injury, then after injury, as shown in the right figure of Figure 3 (Figure 3(B)), two cells disappear 41A (the concentration of SS: cells decreases). As a result, (DS: soluble substances) increases. For example, in a concentration apparatus, if the culture medium is concentrated at an increased rotation speed to obtain a concentrated solution, and then the solution is dried and lipids are extracted, , fat The extraction rate of quality decreases. In contrast, as in this embodiment, hydrothermal treatment is performed using the solubilization treatment apparatus 303. Lipids By extracting the substance, the extraction rate was actually higher than that obtained by drying undamaged material.

[0038] <Examples of tests and comparative examples> A test example demonstrating the effects of the present invention will be explained in comparison with a comparative example. [Test Procedure] An outdoor closed-type culture device (glass closed-type photobioreactor) installed on the company premises. Ta Chlamydomonas was cultured using (-), and after separating the culture using a separation device, a dried product was obtained. This dried material is extracted using hexane as a nonpolar solvent. , fat Extraction of the substance (triacylglycerol: TAG) was performed.

[0039] In the test example, the concentrate was concentrated using a centrifuge as the concentration device 302, and then solubilized using the solubilization device 303. Subsequently, the filtration process (S-15) and the drying process (S-15) were carried out in a single apparatus (temperature: 105°C) within the biomass processing apparatus 204 as shown in Figure 4 (described later) to obtain a dried product (dried cake). The solubilization treatment involved hydrothermal solubilization of the concentrated microbial solution, Concentrated Microorganism 201A, at 180°C for 1 hour. The centrifugal separator used in the concentration apparatus was the Mitsubishi Self-Injector "SJ-10F (product name)" manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Machinery Ltd.

[0040] Comparative Example 1 was a test example in which no solubilization treatment was performed.

[0041] In Comparative Example 2, the concentrated solution was further concentrated using a benchtop centrifuge (Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd., product name "CT6EL"), the supernatant was replaced with distilled water, and the concentrated solution was dried in a dryer without performing the hydrothermal solubilization treatment of the test example.

[0042] Comparative Example 3 involved concentration processing using a tabletop centrifuge (Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd., product name "CT6EL"), and the concentrated liquid was dried as is to obtain a dried product.

[0043] The obtained dried product was extracted using Soxhlet extraction with hexane as the extraction solvent, and the extraction rate was determined. These test results are shown in Table 1.

[0044] [Table 1]

[0045] As shown in Table 1, damage was observed in the cultured cells in the test example and comparative examples 1 and 2. In contrast, no damage was observed to the cultured cells in the tabletop centrifuge used in Comparative Example 3. The extraction rate for this study was 1.65%. In contrast, the extraction rates for Comparative Example 1 were 0.32%, Comparative Example 2 was 0.34%, and Comparative Example 3 was 1.02%. The bursting rate for this test example and comparative examples 1 and 2 was 32%.

[0046] These results suggest that even if there is damage, hydrothermal treatment can be performed as shown in the test examples. , fat We were able to recover quality and obtain the highest extraction rate.

[0047] Figure 6 shows schematic diagrams of the cell state before and after damage (rupture) and after hydrothermal treatment. Figures 6(A) and (B) show the state of lipids within microorganisms before and after cell damage (rupture), and Figure 6(C) shows the state of lipids after hydrothermal treatment following damage (rupture).

[0048] It is possible that the damage (rupture) prevented hexane from coming into contact with the lipids after simple drying. First, Figure 6(A) shows the state before concentration, in which the cell is covered with membrane protein 502 and amphiphilic molecules 501 such as phospholipids. For example, if cells are damaged (rupture) during concentration, as shown in Figure 6(B), the intracellular solution 504 is released to the outside, and some of the amphiphilic molecules 501, such as membrane proteins 502 and phospholipids, adhere to the lipids 503, making it difficult for the lipids to come into contact with the hexane in the extraction solvent, for example. Furthermore, when solubilization treatment (hydrothermal treatment) is performed, as shown in Figure 6(C), amphiphilic molecules 501 such as membrane proteins 502 and phospholipids are detached or hydrolyzed, exposing the lipids. This allows the lipids to come into contact with, for example, the extraction solvent hexane, enabling effective extraction.

[0049] Here, the solubilization apparatus 303 shown in Figure 1 consists of a sealed container into which biomass raw materials are introduced and sealed, and means for introducing steam into the sealed container or means for heating the container. The apparatus involves placing biomass raw materials into a sealed container, then heating the container to a predetermined temperature (e.g., 120°C to 240°C) and performing a hydrothermal solubilization treatment for a predetermined time (e.g., 5 to 60 minutes).

[0050] The solubilization treatment apparatus 303 maintains the temperature inside a sealed container, for example, at 160-170°C by heating the container, thereby modifying the biomass raw material through thermal hydrolysis (hydrothermal reaction) and improving its water solubilization rate.

[0051] Here, an example of the solubilization apparatus 303 will be explained with reference to Figure 5. The solubilization apparatus 303 consists of a preheating section 303A, a reaction section 303B, and a cooling section 303C. Here, as shown in Figure 5, the concentrated microorganisms 201A from the concentration device 302 are first preheated in the preheating unit 303A and then sent to the reaction unit 303B for solubilization treatment. Steam 303a may be introduced into this reaction unit 303B to perform the solubilization treatment. The solubilized liquid 211 after the reaction in the reaction unit 303B is cooled to a predetermined temperature in the cooling unit 303C. The preheating unit 303A and the cooling unit 303C may be installed as needed.

[0052] The reaction section 303B may be configured as a continuous processing system using piping (for example, a double reaction tube or a triple reaction tube). Alternatively, instead of piping, a tank-type continuous processing system may be used.

[0053] In this embodiment, a filtration step (S14) is performed inside the biomass processing device 204 to filter the suspended solubilization treatment liquid 211. This filtration operation is performed to reduce the volume of water in the solubilization treatment liquid 211 that has been solubilized in the solubilization processing device 202.

[0054] Subsequently, inside the biomass processing device 204, the filtered product (wet cake) 201B, which was filtered in the filtration step (S14), is subjected to a drying step (S15). By performing this drying process (S15), the moisture content (water content) of the filtered material (moist cake) 201B can be further reduced.

[0055] While we will describe a specific example using a culture medium of microorganisms as a biomass raw material, the present invention is not limited to this example. The ratio of solids to water content (solid-liquid ratio) of the wet biomass raw material, which is the solubilized liquid 211 obtained in the solubilization process (S13), was initially, for example, "10 / 90". However, after the "filtration process (S14)", the ratio of solids to water content (solid-liquid ratio) in the filtered product (wet cake) 201B becomes "50 / 50". Subsequently, by subjecting the filtered product (wet cake) 201B to a "drying process (S15)", the ratio of water to solid in the microbially dried product (dried cake) 201C (solid-liquid ratio) can be set to "90 / 10". However, the ratio of water to solid in the microbially dried product (dried cake) 201C (solid-liquid ratio) is not limited in this invention and can be set to "90 / 10" or less, or to about "95 / 5".

[0056] In this embodiment, by providing this drying step (S15), when extracting the target substance (oil) using a hydrophobic extraction solvent in the downstream extraction step (S16), the affinity with the oil is improved, thereby improving the oil extraction efficiency.

[0057] Here, the extraction solvent is: Lipids twenty one 4 For extraction, nonpolar solvents such as hexane, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, and benzene, or organic solvents such as ethanol, acetone, and ethyl acetate can be used, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0058] The conditions for the drying process (S15) are, for example, 110°C, and preferably 60-120°C. For example, the extraction conditions in the extraction step (S16) are 60°C, and preferably 30-80°C.

[0059] Lipids In the recovery device 307 Lipids The recovery process (S17) is performed outside the system of the biomass treatment device 204. In the extraction step (S16), a nonpolar solvent such as hexane is used. Lipids After extracting the (oil), the hexane extract is filtered to remove the residue in the extraction solvent, Lipids In the recovery process (S17), the filtrate is dried, and the target of extraction is obtained. Lipids (oil) 214 can be obtained.

[0060] In the hydrothermal treatment in the solubilization apparatus 202, the biomass raw material 201 is placed in a sealed container that can withstand high pressure, and while being stirred by stirring means such as stirring blades, the biomass raw material (microorganisms) 201 is heated by, for example, a heat transfer heater, an electric heater, a jacket or heat exchanger using steam or oil as a heat medium, microwaves, etc. Therefore, the biomass processing device 204 is equipped with means to implement these measures.

[0061] In the solubilization treatment apparatus 202, the pressure of the generated steam pressurizes the sealed container, causing the biomass raw material 201 to remain in liquid state, exceeding its boiling point at atmospheric pressure and rising in temperature, thus undergoing hydrothermal treatment.

[0062] When performing an extraction operation within the biomass processing device 204, the biomass raw material 201 and the extraction solvent 215 are placed in a container and extracted while being stirred with a stirring blade. The extraction temperature can be room temperature, heated, or cooled, depending on the component being extracted. When heating, an electric heater, a jacket or heat exchanger using hot water, steam, oil, etc. as a heat transfer medium, or a microwave can be used. For cooling, a jacket or heat exchanger using cold water or an organic solvent as a refrigerant can be used.

[0063] Here, the process of the biomass processing apparatus 204 of this embodiment will be explained using Figure 4. In this embodiment shown in Figure 4, there is a solubilization treatment filtration step (S14) in which the solubilization treatment liquid 211, which is the solubilized product from the solubilization treatment apparatus 202, is filtered, a drying step (S15) in which the filtered product (wet cake) 201B obtained in the solubilization treatment filtration step (S14) is dried, and in the microbial dried product (dried cake) 201C obtained in the drying step (S15) Lipids We will now explain the case where an extraction step (S16) for extracting 214 into a solvent is performed using a biomass processing device 204 that performs both steps within a single apparatus.

[0064] As shown in Figure 4, the biomass processing device 204 consists of a sealed container body 3, a stirring blade 5 that is installed inside the container body 3 and rotates by a stirring shaft 4, an introduction pipe 36 for introducing the solubilization liquid 211 into the interior, a filter material 34 for filtering the processed material, and an discharge pipe 35 for discharging the processed material to the outside.

[0065] The solubilization solution 211 from a hydrothermal solubilization treatment (soft hydrothermal treatment), which is not shown in the figure, is introduced into the main body 31 of the biomass processing device 204 via an introduction pipe 36, as shown in Figure 4(a).

[0066] Next, after stirring with the stirring blade 5, a filtration step (S14) is performed to discharge the liquid (filtrate) 212a of the solubilized solution, as shown in Figure 4(b).

[0067] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 4(c), a drying step (S15) is performed to dry the filtered product (wet cake) 201B to obtain a microbially dried product (dried cake) 201C.

[0068] Next, as shown in Figure 4(d), the extraction solvent 215 is added to the microbial dry material 201C via the introduction tube 36. After stirring the added extraction solvent 215, it is filtered. Lipids Dissolved solution 201D is obtained.

[0069] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 4(e), this Lipids The dissolving solution 216 is discharged into a liquid receiving container (not shown) located outside the biomass processing device 204. Lipids The recovery process (S17) is carried out.

[0070] Lipids In the recovery device 307 Lipids In the recovery process (S17), Lipids The extraction solvent 215 was separated and recovered from the dissolving solution 201D. Lipids (Oil) 214 is obtained. The recovered extraction solvent is reused.

[0071] According to this embodiment, before extraction in the extraction step (S16), the amount of extraction solvent used can be significantly reduced by separating the solid and liquid components of the solubilization treatment liquid 211 in the biomass treatment device 204 before performing solvent extraction. In particular, when using an extraction solvent that is insoluble in water, the extraction efficiency is improved by ensuring sufficient mixing of the raw material and the extraction solvent during extraction. Furthermore, the separation of the raw material and the extraction solvent after extraction becomes easier, enabling low-cost and efficient extraction.

[0072] According to this embodiment, the biomass raw material, which is the culture medium, is solubilized by the solubilization treatment device 202, and then treated by the biomass treatment device 204, thereby shortening the filtration time and reducing the solubilization treatment. Lipids The overall processing time up to extraction is reduced.

[0073] Furthermore, even if cells are stressed and damaged during the concentration of the culture medium, causing soluble substances to leach into the culture medium, the solution can be obtained by performing hydrothermal treatment after the concentration process. Lipids By extracting the affected components, the extraction rate is improved compared to simply drying an undamaged culture medium. [Industrial applicability]

[0074] This invention relates to biomass raw materials Lipids It can be used in the overall extraction system and method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 200A, 200B Extraction System 201 Microorganisms (Biomass Raw Materials) 201A Concentrated microorganisms 201B Microbial Filtrate 201C Dried microorganisms 201D Lipids Solution 202 Solubilization Apparatus 204 Biomass treatment equipment 205 Lipids Recovery device 211 Solubilizing treatment solution 214 Lipids 215 Extraction solvent 216 Lipids Solution 301 Culture equipment 302 Concentrator 303 Solubilization Apparatus 304 Filtration device 305 Drying equipment 306 Extraction device 307 Lipids Recovery device S11 Culture process (Culture process) S12 Microorganism concentration process (concentration process) S13 Microbial solubilization process (Solubilization process) S14 Solubilization treatment liquid filtration process (filtration process) S15 Microbial drying process (drying process) S16 Lipids Component extraction process S17 Lipids Recovery process

Claims

1. A culture apparatus for culturing microorganisms, A concentration device for concentrating the cultured microorganisms, A solubilization apparatus for hydrothermally solubilizing concentrated microorganisms, A filtration device for filtering the solubilized liquid from the solubilization apparatus, A drying apparatus for drying the microbial filtrate from the aforementioned filtration apparatus to obtain a microbial dry product, An extraction apparatus for extracting lipid components from the microbial dry matter into an extraction solvent, Equipped with, In the aforementioned concentration apparatus, the solution is concentrated before the cells are damaged by the concentration apparatus, and the cells in the resulting concentrate are damaged, and the amount of soluble substance DSc derived from cellular components in the concentrate is increased. The state of damage to the cells in the concentrated solution is such that the rate of cell rupture in the concentrated solution is 1% or more. The bursting rate is given by the following formula (1): Rupture rate=DSc / TSc...(1) Here, in equation (1), TSc refers to TS derived from the aforementioned cell component. TSc = TS - stock solution DS And, The dissolved substance (DS), expressed in units of g / L, is calculated by dividing the weight of the dry material (g) remaining after evaporating the water in the filtrate during cell concentration (SS) measurement by the volume of the filtrate (L). The concentrated solution is placed in a container, its dry weight (g) is measured, and this dry weight is divided by the volume of solution used for evaporation (L). The total solids (TS), expressed in units of g / L, is then subtracted from the cell concentration (SS), expressed in units of g / L. DSc refers to DS derived from the aforementioned cell component. DSc = DS - stock solution DS A lipid extraction system from biomass raw materials characterized by the following.

2. The lipid extraction system from biomass raw materials according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a lipid recovery device for recovering lipids from the lipid solution obtained from the extraction device.

3. The lipid extraction system from biomass raw materials according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the concentration device is a centrifuge.

4. The lipid extraction system from biomass raw materials according to claim 3, characterized in that the cells in the concentrated microorganism are heat-treated during concentration by the centrifuge.

5. The microbial culture process for culturing microorganisms, A concentration step for concentrating the cultured microorganisms, A solubilization process in which concentrated microorganisms are hydrothermally solubilized, A filtration step for filtering the solubilized liquid from the solubilization step, A drying step is performed to dry the microbial filtrate from the aforementioned filtration device to obtain a microbial dry product. An extraction step of extracting lipid components from the microbial dry matter into an extraction solvent, It has, In the concentration step, the solution is concentrated before the cells are damaged in the concentration step, and the cells in the resulting concentrate are damaged, and the amount of soluble substance DSc derived from cell components in the concentrate is increased. The state of damage to the cells in the concentrated solution is such that the rate of cell rupture in the concentrated solution is 1% or more. The bursting rate is given by the following formula (1): Rupture rate=DSc / TSc...(1) Here, in equation (1), TSc refers to TS derived from the aforementioned cell component. TSc = TS - stock solution DS And, The dissolved substance (DS), expressed in units of g / L, is calculated by dividing the weight of the dry material (g) remaining after evaporating the water in the filtrate during cell concentration (SS) measurement by the volume of the filtrate (L). The concentrated solution is placed in a container, its dry weight (g) is measured, and this dry weight is divided by the volume of solution used for evaporation (L). The total solids (TS), expressed in units of g / L, is then subtracted from the cell concentration (SS), expressed in units of g / L. DSc refers to DS derived from the aforementioned cell component. DSc = DS - stock solution DS A method for extracting lipids from biomass raw materials, characterized by the features described above.

6. The method for extracting lipids from biomass raw materials according to claim 5, characterized by comprising a lipid recovery step of recovering lipids from the lipid solution obtained from the extraction step.

7. The method for extracting lipids from biomass raw materials according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the concentration step is a centrifugal separation step.

8. The method for extracting lipids from a biomass raw material according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the concentration step is a centrifugation step, and the cells in the concentrated microorganism are heat-treated during concentration by centrifugation.

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