Microbial Lipid Separation by Alkaline Demulsification and Salt Addition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lipid extraction processes from microbial cells require large amounts of volatile and flammable organic solvents, leading to hazardous operating conditions and increased production costs, and often result in crude oils that need extensive purification.

Innovation Solution

A process involving pH adjustment to 8 or above, optionally with salt addition and agitation, to demulsify microbial cells and separate lipids without using organic solvents, achieving high purity and reducing the solvent content to less than 5% by weight or volume.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If organic solvents are used to extract lipid from microbial cells, then lipid extraction efficiency is improved, but hazardous operating conditions and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelipid extraction efficiencyVSAvoidhazardous operating conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the extraction system by using aqueous bases (pH 8-13) instead of organic solvents, and by controlling ionic strength through salt addition. This fundamental parameter change enables lipid demulsification and separation without hazardous organic solvents, resolving the contradiction between extraction efficiency and safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the chemical extraction mechanism (organic solvent dissolution) with a physicochemical mechanism (pH-induced demulsification and salt-induced phase separation). This substitution eliminates the need for volatile organic solvents while maintaining effective lipid separation, addressing both productivity and safety concerns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If organic solvents are used to extract lipid from microbial cells, then lipid extraction is achieved, but production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelipid extractionVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses inexpensive, readily available aqueous bases (such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, or calcium hydroxide) and common salts (such as sodium chloride, calcium chloride) as extraction agents. These cheap reagents replace expensive organic solvents and require no specialized recovery systems, significantly reducing production costs while maintaining extraction effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

By changing from organic solvent-based extraction to aqueous base and salt-based demulsification, the patent eliminates the need for complex solvent recovery infrastructure, explosion-proof equipment, and extensive purification systems. This parameter change simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces capital and operational costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple washing steps are used to separate lipid from cell composition, then lipid purity is improved, but process time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelipid purityVSAvoidprocess time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary pH adjustment and salt addition to the cell composition before separation, which pre-condition the system for efficient phase separation. This preliminary action causes lipids to demulsify and aggregate, enabling near-complete separation in a single step and eliminating the need for multiple sequential washing operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent exploits phase transition phenomena by adjusting pH to cause lipids to transition from an emulsified state to a separated phase. This phase transition, induced by pH change and salt addition, enables rapid and complete lipid separation in one operation, achieving high purity without time-consuming multiple washing steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The process effectively extracts lipids with high purity, low solvent content, and minimal steps, providing lipids with desirable fatty acid profiles and reduced impurities such as anisidine value, peroxide value, and phosphorus content.

Implementation Method 1

raising the pH of the cell composition to 8 or above

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectpH adjustment:

Implementation Method 2

contacting the cell composition with a salt

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSalt-induced demulsification:

Data Source

PatentEP4726017A2Extraction of lipid from cells and products therefrom

Publication Date: 2026.04.15 DSM IP ASSETS BV

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AI summary

The present invention relates to processes for obtaining a lipid from a cell by lysing the cell, contacting the cell with a base and/or salt, and separating the lipid. The present invention is also directed to a lipid prepared by the processes of the present invention. The present invention is also directed to microbial lipids having a particular anisidine value, peroxide value, and/or phosphorus content.