Patent ID: 8450111
Filing Date: 2013-05-28
Classification: C07H,C08H,C10G,C10L,C11B,C12M,C12P,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A method for extracting a lipid from a suspension of microalgae cells comprising the steps of: a) mixing an amount of said suspension of microalgae cells with an amount of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride at a temperature of between 100° C. and 140° C. for a time sufficient to lyse said microalgae cells to produce a lysate; b) allowing the lysate to rest for a time sufficient for water to evaporate from the lysate and for the lysate to form a hydrophilic phase comprising the 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride and a lipid phase separate from and immiscible with the hydrophilic phase, said lipid phase having a lower density than the hydrophilic phase; and c) separating the lipid phase from the hydrophilic phase to obtain a lipid extract from the microalgae cells.