Microalgae product extraction

The microalgae are cultured in bioreactors under solar or artiflcial light in the presence of carbon dioxide and salts. The bioreactors may be closed systems made of polyethylene sleeves rather than open pools. Optimal conditions for pigment production are low to medium light intensity and medium temperatures (20 to 30°C). Pigment extraction is achieved by cell breakage, extraction into water or buffered solution, and centrifugation to separate out the filtrate. The filtrate may then be partly purified and sterilized by microfiltration and spray dried or lyophilized. 

Another commercially available product containing naturally occurring marine products is Formulaid , produced by Martek Biosciences as a nutritional supplement for infant formulas. Formulaid contains two fatty acids, arachidonic acid (ARA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), extracted from a variety of marine microalgae. ARA and DHA are the most abundant polyunsaturated fatty acids found in breast milk, and they are the most important fatty acids used in the development of brain gray matter. They are especially desirable for use in infant formulas because they come from nonmeat sources and can be advertised as vegetarian additives to the product. 

Herrero, M., Cifuentes, A. and Ibanez, E. 2006. Sub- and Supercritical Fluid Extraction of Functional Ingredients from Different Natural Sources Plants, Food-By-Products, Algae and Microalgae. Food Chem., 98, 136-148. 

Martek (http //www.martekbio.com) and DSM have developed processes to produce oils rich in DHA and ARA. The DHA is extracted from fermented microalgae (Cryptecodiunium cohnii) and the ARA is extracted from soil fungus (Mortierelle alpina). In the DHA production process, the microalgae are grown in fermentors (80,000 to 260,000 liters scale). The cellmass is then... 

The principles of sonochemistry can also be applied to disrupt different species of oil-bearing microalgae cells. Detailed experimental results are necessary to support the cost-effectiveness and industrial scale applicability of ultrasound for microbial lipid extraction, and subsequent biodiesel production in comparison to conventional methods (Mata et al., 2010). 

Herrero M. Cifiientes A. Ibanez E. 2006. Sub- and supercritical fluid extraction of functional ingredients from different natural sourees Plants, food-by-products, algae and microalgae A review. Food Chem. 98 136-148. 

We studied the extraction of lipids from algae (Isochrysis galbana Parke) to verify the possibility to enrich EPA, DHA or other omega-3 fatty acids for healthy products or pharmaceutical application (35). We found that the SFs allow the extraction of lipids from microalgae with interesting fatty acid composition and good extraction yield in comparison with traditional solvents. 

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