Patent ID: 8431358
Filing Date: 2013-04-30
Classification: B01D,C12N

Abstract:
1. A method for processing an emulsion that is coalescence-inhibited comprising steps of: (a) carrying out a whole cell biotransformation in the presence of an organic solvent, water and whole cells of microorganisms as the catalyst, wherein an emulsion is directly produced by the whole cell biotransformation, the emulsion comprising the organic solvent, water, at least a portion of the whole cells and soluble cell components, wherein said emulsion is coalescence-inhibited and stable; (b) placing the emulsion into a container with at least one compressed or supercritical gas that is in excess, and mixing the emulsion in the container with the at least one compressed or supercritical gas for a period of time that can be predetermined, at elevated pressure and elevated temperature compared to ambient pressure and temperature, respectively, (c) ending or reducing the mixing wherein an aqueous phase and an organic phase of the resultant mixed emulsion from step (b) separate from one another and whole cells and cell components of the aqueous phase precipitate in a region of a boundary surface of the aqueous phase, and whole cells and cell components of the organic phase precipitate in a region of a boundary surface of the organic phase, (d) subsequently separating the precipitated whole cells and cell components of the aqueous phase, the precipitated whole cells and cell components of the organic phase, the aqueous phase and the organic phase from one another; and (e) processing the resultant separated organic phase wherein a valuable substance contained in the separated organic phase is obtained.