Patent ID: 9181523
Filing Date: 2015-11-10
Classification: A01G,A61K,C12N,C12R

Abstract:
1. A method of reducing bacterial contamination in a microalgae culture, comprising: a. preparing in an open culture in a first bioreactor a microalgae culture having or suspected of containing a contaminating population of bacteria, in the presence of a microalgal-growth sustaining amount of a first acid, wherein said first acid: b. contacting the microalgae culture with a second acid having a pKa equal to or less than the pKa of the first acid, wherein a substantial portion of the second acid is made up of at least one acid other than the first acid, thereby reducing the pH of the culture to a second pH greater than 0; c. maintaining the microalgae culture at the second pH value for a period of at least 5 minutes, thereby reducing the population of viable bacteria in the microalgae culture; and d. contacting the microalgae culture with a base, such that the pH of the culture is raised above the pKa value of the first acid, thereby providing said microalgae culture having a reduced bacterial contamination.