US4115949A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Production of glycerol from algae
Assignee: Yeda Research and Development Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1977-05-25
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Granted: 1978-09-26
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Expires: 1997-05-25
Abstract
Abstract A process for the production of glycerol and proteinous substances of nutritive value which comprises cultivating algae of the Dunaliella species in a nutrient medium containing the mineral requirements of growth of the algae, said nutrient medium having a sodium chloride content of at least 1.5 M, the cultivation being effected while an adequate supply of carbon dioxide is provided and continued until a maximum concentration of algae is obtained, and continuing the cultivation of the algae in a nutrient medium having a content of sodium chloride of at least 3 M, cultivating the algae in this second nutrient medium until a high glycerol content is established, harvesting the algae, recovering from same the glycerol, and recovering the residue having a high protein content.
Inventors
- 👤 Mordhay Avron
- 👤 Ami Ben-Amotz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 20:50
CPC Classifications
C; C12; C12N; C12N1/00; C12N1/12; C12N1/125; C12P; C12P23/00; C12P7/00; C12P7/02; C12P7/04; C12P7/18; C12P7/20; C12R; C12R2001/00; C12R2001/89; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P60/00; Y02P60/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A process for the production of glycerol and proteinous substances of nutritive value which comprises cultivating algae species of the Dunaliella genus in a nutrient medium containing the mineral requirements of growth of the algae, said nutrient medium having a sodium chloride content of at least 1.5 M, the cultivation being effected while an adequate supply of carbon dioxide is provided and continued until a maximum concentration of algae is obtained, and continuing the cultivation of the algae in a nutrient medium having a content of sodium chloride of at least 3 M, cultivating the algae in this second nutrient medium until a high glycerol content is established, harvesting the algae, recovering from same the glycerol, and recovering the residue having a high protein content.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
A process for the production of glycerol and proteinous substances of nutritive value which comprises cultivating algae species of the Dunaliella genus in a nutrient medium containing the mineral requirements of growth of the algae, said nutrient medium having a sodium chloride content of at least 1.5 M, the cultivation being effected while an adequate supply of carbon dioxide is provided and continued until a maximum concentration of algae is obtained, and continuing the cultivation of the algae in a nutrient medium having a content of sodium chloride of at least 3 M, cultivating the algae in this second nutrient medium until a high glycerol content is established, harvesting the algae, recovering from same the glycerol, and recovering the residue having a high protein content.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the Dunaliella used for cultivation is Dunaliella salina, Dunaliella (b), Dunaliella primolecta, Dunaliella tertiolecta, or Dunaliella peircei.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the carbon dioxide is supplied in gaseous form.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the carbon dioxide is supplied in the form of bicarbonate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein part of the algae are allowed to settle out, and these are harvested.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the algae are preconcentrated in a filter unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the algae are harvested by centrifugation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the algae are grown in an outdoor body of water of about 15 to 30 cm depth.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
69 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the nutrient medium contains 1 mM to 10 mM Mg ++ , 1 mM to 10 mM K + , 0.1 mM to 20 mM Ca ++ , Fe-EDTA about 0.5 μm to 45 μm, SO 4 = about 1 mM to 5 mM; and NO 3 about 1 mM to 20 mM; PO 4 = about 0.01 mM to 1 mM.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the nutrient medium is sea-water augmented to a suitable sodium-chloride and mineral content.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the alga is Dunaliella (B) and an additional product is β-carotene.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process according to claim 2, wherein contaminating micro-organisms are eliminated by raising the sodium chloride content above 2 M.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process according to claim 2, wherein algae are precipitated by addition of ferric chloride, aluminum chloride or aluminum sulfate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process according tO claim 2, wherein the harvested algae are suspended in water resulting in a release of the glycerol and separating the glycerol from the proteinous residue.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process according to claim 2, wherein the glycerol is recovered by fractional distillation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
A process according to claim 2, wherein the algae are extracted with ethanol, the extract is separated from the proteinous residue and glycerol is recovered from the ethanol extract by fractional distillation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-09-25 | 1982-03-27 | 1982-09-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-09-25 | 1986-03-27 | 1986-09-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-09-25 | 1990-03-27 | 1990-09-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |