Microalgae Oil Purification Using Triglyceride-Carried Impurity Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microalgae-derived oil, rich in unsaturated fatty acids like EPA, is not suitable for edible use due to the formation of impurities such as chlorophyll and other fat-soluble substances, which affect its flowability and composition.
Innovation Solution
A method involving material separation processes using triglyceride as a carrier for impurities, followed by transesterification, mechanical separation, thermal separation, and additional purification steps like molecular distillation and urea precipitation, to produce a high omega-3 fatty acid content edible oil.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If microalgae biomass is extracted by solvent extraction or supercritical liquid extraction, then oil can be obtained, but the oil contains impurities such as chlorophyll and pigments that make it unsuitable for edible use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies extraction by taking out the harmful impurities (chlorophyll, pigments, and other fat-soluble substances) from the microalgae oil through a two-stage process: first extracting with hexane to obtain crude oil, then selectively removing pigments using silica gel column chromatography, resulting in purified edible oil
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses silica gel as an intermediary substance in the purification process. The silica gel acts as a stationary phase that selectively interacts with pigment molecules, allowing them to be retained while the desired oil components pass through, thereby mediating the separation between impurities and valuable oil
2Ease of manufacture
If microalgae biomass is pre-treated by freeze-drying or spray-drying, then the extraction process can be performed, but the processing complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing freeze-drying or spray-drying of microalgae biomass before extraction to improve cell wall rupture and enhance subsequent extraction efficiency. This pre-treatment prepares the biomass in advance, making the extraction process more effective
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple purification steps are performed to remove impurities, then oil purity increases, but the processing time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous useful action by designing a streamlined purification process where hexane extraction and silica gel column chromatography are performed in sequence without interruption. The process maintains continuous flow of materials through each stage, eliminating idle time between operations while achieving high purity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing various process parameters including solvent composition, flow rate through the silica gel column, temperature, and pressure to achieve high purification efficiency within reduced timeframes. By carefully controlling these parameters, the process maximizes purity while minimizing processing time and energy consumption
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 method effectively removes over 80% of impurities, achieving an EPA content of more than 50% by weight, suitable for human consumption with reduced pigment content.
Implementation Method 1
the microalgae product is subjected to a material separation process for removing impurities, in which triglyceride is used as carrier for the impurities
Implementation Method 2
the microalgae product is treated by means of transesterification to form the intermediate product. Usefully, it is converted to an ethyl ester
Implementation Method 3
an organic phase is separated from an inorganic phase of the intermediate product, preferably by mechanical separation, particularly preferably sedimentation and/or centrifugation
Implementation Method 4
an organic phase is separated from an inorganic phase of the intermediate product, preferably by mechanical separation, particularly preferably sedimentation and/or centrifugation
Implementation Method 5
the intermediate product is subjected to a thermal material separation process for removing impurities... The thermal material separation process to remove impurities is preferably carried out by means of distillation, preferably molecular distillation
Implementation Method 6
saturated fatty acids are separated from the intermediate product, in particular after the thermal material separation process, preferably by adding urea, especially urea crystals
Data Source
AI summary
A method for producing edible oil, having a high content of unsaturated fatty acids, from a product of microalgae. The microalgae product is treated to form an intermediate product that is subjected to a material separation process for removing impurities, in which material separation process the triglyceride is used as a carrier for the impurities. A microalgae oil and/or a lipid extract is advantageously used as the microalgae product. The microalgae product is preferably obtained from microalgae, more particularly photoautotrophic and/or mixotrophic microalgae. The microalgae product is treated by transesterification in order to form the intermediate product, wherein the microalgae product is preferably transformed into an ethyl ester. An organic phase is separated from an inorganic phase of the intermediate product and the organic phase of the intermediate product is subjected to a material separation process for removing impurities, in which material separation process the triglyceride is used.