US4199895A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Production of glycerol, carotenes and algae meal
Assignee: Yeda Research and Development Co Ltd
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Filing: 1978-06-26
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Granted: 1980-04-29
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Expires: 1998-06-26
Abstract
Abstract According to the invention there is provided a process for the simultaneous production of glycerol, carotenes(β-carotene, its isomers and carotene-like substances) and protein rich material which comprises cultivating algae of the Dunaliella bardawil species under high-intensity illumination in a growth medium containing a high concentration of sodium chloride (at least 1,5 M in the final stage of the cultivation), providing an adequate supply of carbon, in a depth of not exceeding 20 cm of the aqueous medium, in a diurnal cycle of illumination, until algae of high content of the above three components are obtained, harvesting the algae and recovering from same the three constituents.
Inventors
- 👤 Mordhay Avron
- 👤 Ami Ben-Amotz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 23:24
CPC Classifications
C; C07; C07C; C07C403/00; C07C403/24; 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
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
A process for the simultaneous production of glycerol, carotenes and protein-rich material which comprises cultivating algae of the Dunaliella bardawil species under high-intensity illumination in a growth medium containing an amount sufficient of nutrients including nitrogen to effect growth of said algae and a high concentration of sodium chloride which reaches at least 1.5 M in the final stage of the cultivation, providing an adequate supply of carbon, in a depth of not exceeding 20 cm of the aqueous medium, in a diurnal cycle of illumination, until algae of high content of the above three components are obtained, harvesting the algae and recovering from same the three constituents.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
A process for the simultaneous production of glycerol, carotenes and protein-rich material which comprises cultivating algae of the Dunaliella bardawil species under high-intensity illumination in a growth medium containing an amount sufficient of nutrients including nitrogen to effect growth of said algae and a high concentration of sodium chloride which reaches at least 1.5 M in the final stage of the cultivation, providing an adequate supply of carbon, in a depth of not exceeding 20 cm of the aqueous medium, in a diurnal cycle of illumination, until algae of high content of the above three components are obtained, harvesting the algae and recovering from same the three constituents.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein said growth medium is an artificial growth medium containing: NaCl, 1-5 M; Mg ++ , 1-500 mM; K + , 1-10 mM; Ca ++ , 0.1-20 mM; iron source, 0.5-45 μM; SO 4 -- , 1-5 mM; nitrogen source, as NO 3 - , 1-20 mM, or NH 4 NO 3 0.5-2.5 mM; phosphate, 0.01-1 mM.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the cultivation is carried out in sunlight.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the carbon is supplied in the form of carbon dioxide or in the form of a carbonate or bicarbonate at a pH of from 7.0 to 9.0.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the cultivation is effected in a medium containing sodium chloride in a concentration from a 3 M to saturation concentration.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the algae are harvested by sedimentation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the glycerol is extracted by means of an organic solvent which is recovered, and which glycerol is purified by decolorization and subsequent distillation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process according to claim 7 wherein the organic solvent is an alcohol.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the carotene is extracted by means of a small amount of a polar solvent in an apolar solvent, the solvents are recovered and the carotenes are purified and crystallized.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process according to claim 8 wherein the polar solvent is ethanol and the apolar solvent is hexane.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
79 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the algae are grown on a medium of above 3 M sodium chloride, under sunlight illumination, in a diurnal cycle, on a medium containing below 4 mM nitrogen on a medium providing the nutritive requirements, until a glycerol content of at least 25% and at least 3% carotenes calculated on dry weight of algae cells is established, harvesting the algae and recovering from same the 3 products: glycerol, carotenes and algae meal.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-04-29 | 1983-10-29 | 1984-04-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-04-29 | 1987-10-29 | 1988-04-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-04-29 | 1991-10-29 | 1992-04-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |