Lipid Isolation via Enzymatic Hydrolysis and Alkaline Demulsification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for isolating polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) from lipid-containing cells, particularly those of the order Thraustochytriales, face challenges such as hazardous operating conditions due to organic solvents and high salt usage, leading to unsustainable processes and delipidated biomass that cannot be utilized effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method involving enzymatic treatment with cell wall-degrading enzymes, pH adjustment, and evaporation to separate PUFAs from biomass without using organic solvents or high salt concentrations, allowing for the demulsification and separation of oil from cell debris and water, resulting in a delipidated biomass suitable for commercial use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If organic solvents like hexane are used to isolate oil from cells, then the isolation effectiveness is improved, but hazardous operating conditions and environmental pollution occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the isolation system by using alkalizing agents to adjust pH to 9.5-11.5 and maintaining temperature at 80-100°C, replacing organic solvents with a controlled chemical environment that achieves demulsification without hazardous materials
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/chemical extraction system using organic solvents with a thermal-chemical demulsification system using alkalizing agents and controlled heating, eliminating the need for solvent-based extraction while maintaining isolation effectiveness
2Productivity
If high amounts of sodium chloride are used for salting-out the oil, then the isolation effectiveness is improved, but the delipidated biomass cannot be utilized as feed ingredient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using alkalizing agents instead of high concentrations of sodium chloride, maintaining pH at 9.5-11.5 to achieve demulsification while producing biomass with acceptable salt content for feed utilization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces alkalizing agents as intermediary substances that facilitate oil demulsification and separation without creating the high salt content problem associated with traditional salting-out methods, enabling both effective isolation and biomass utilization
3Productivity
If high amounts of sodium chloride are used for salting-out the oil, then the isolation effectiveness is improved, but fast corrosion of steel equipment occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical environment by using alkalizing agents at controlled pH levels (9.5-11.5) instead of high concentration sodium chloride solutions, achieving effective oil separation while minimizing corrosive effects on steel equipment
4Quantity of substance
If saponification of fatty acid esters occurs during isolation, then the chemical transformation is achieved, but the quality of PUFAs is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully controls the pH parameter within the range of 9.5-11.5 and temperature at 80-100°C to achieve demulsification while avoiding the conditions that promote saponification, thereby preserving PUFAs quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements monitoring and control of pH and temperature parameters during the isolation process to prevent excessive alkalinity or prolonged exposure that could trigger saponification, maintaining optimal conditions for PUFAs preservation
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
This method effectively isolates PUFAs with low oxidation values, minimal free fatty acids and impurities, and high flash point, while enabling the utilization of the delipidated biomass in agricultural applications and avoiding environmental hazards and salt-related issues.
Implementation Method 1
adding a cell wall-degrading enzyme to the suspension... The cell-wall degrading enzyme is preferably selected from proteases, cellulases, hemicellulases, chitinases, pectinases
Implementation Method 2
Concentrating the suspension as obtained in step (c) by evaporation of water at a temperature not higher than 100°C
Implementation Method 3
adding an alkalizing agent, preferably caustic soda, to adjust a pH value of 9.5 to 11.5... Keeping the temperature in the ranges as depicted in (e) and the pH value in the range of 9.0 to 11.5
Implementation Method 4
This separation of the light and heavy phase is also called 'de-em unification' or 'demulsification' in the context of this application
Data Source
AI summary
The current invention relates to a method for isolating polyunsaturated fatty acids containing lipids from lipid-containing cells.