Patents Assigned to Solazyme, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8674180
    Abstract: Novel gene sequences from microalgae are disclosed, as well as novel gene sequences useful in the manufacture of triglyceride oils. Also disclosed are sequences and vectors that allow microalgae to be cultivated on sugar cane and sugar beets as a feedstock. In some embodiments, the vectors are useful for the purpose of performing targeted modifications to the nuclear genome of heterotrophic microalgae.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Solazyme, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Franklin, Aravind Somanchi, Karen Espina, George Rudenko, Penelope Chua
  • Patent number: 8647397
    Abstract: The invention provides methods of modifying the lipids produced by microbial organisms through genetic engineering. The invention also provides genetically engineered microbes and methods of fermenting microbes for oil production. Also provided are oils, fuels, oleochemicals, chemical precursors, and other compounds manufactured by such modified microorganisms. Exemplary oil-bearing organisms include organisms containing one or more exogenous genes encoding a fatty acyl-ACP thioesterase, fatty acyl-CoA/aldehyde reductase, fatty acyl-CoA reductase, fatty aldehyde reductase, fatty aldehyde decarbonylase, and/or an acyl carrier protein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Solazyme, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Trimbur, Chung-Soon Im, Harrison F. Dillon, Anthony G. Day, Scott Franklin, Anna Coragliotti
  • Patent number: 8633012
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for the production of oil, fuels, oleochemicals, and other compounds in recombinant microorganisms are provided, including oil-bearing microorganisms and methods of low cost cultivation of such microorganisms. Microalgal cells containing exogenous genes encoding, for example, a lipase, a sucrose transporter, a sucrose invertase, a fructokinase, a polysaccharide-degrading enzyme, a keto acyl-ACP synthase enzyme, a fatty acyl-ACP thioesterase, a fatty acyl-CoA/aldehyde reductase, a fatty acyl-CoA reductase, a fatty aldehyde reductase, a fatty acid hydroxylase, a desaturase enzyme, a fatty aldehyde decarbonylase, and/or an acyl carrier protein are useful in manufacturing transportation fuels such as renewable diesel, biodiesel, and renewable jet fuel, as well as oleochemicals such as functional fluids, surfactants, soaps and lubricants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Solazyme, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Franklin, Aravind Somanchi, Janice Wee, George Rudenko, Jeffrey L. Moseley, Walt Rakitsky, Xinhua Zhao, Riyaz Bhat
  • Publication number: 20130338385
    Abstract: Recombinant DNA techniques are used to produce oleaginous recombinant cells that produce triglyceride oils having desired fatty acid profiles and regiospecific or stereospecific profiles. Genes manipulated include those encoding stearoyl-ACP desturase, delta 12 fatty acid desaturase, acyl-ACP thioesterase, ketoacyl-ACP synthase, and lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase. The oil produced can have enhanced oxidative or thermal stability, can be useful as a frying oil, shortening, roll-in shortening, tempering fat, cocoa butter replacement, as a lubricant, or as a feedstock for various chemical processes. The fatty acid profile can be enriched in midchain profiles or the oil can be enriched in triglycerides of the saturated-unsaturated-saturated type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: Solazyme, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Franklin, Aravind Somanchi, George Rudenko, Riyaz Bhat, Xinhua Zhao, Risha Bond, Walter Rakitsky, Alejandro Marangoni
  • Publication number: 20130330790
    Abstract: The invention provides methods of cultivating oil-bearing microbes using xylose alone or in combination with other depolymerized cellulosic material. Also provided are microorganisms comprising an exogenous gene encoding a polysaccharide degrading enzyme, such as a cellulase, a hemicellulase, a pectinase, or a driselase. Some methods of microbial fermentation are provided that comprise the use of xylose and depolymerized cellulosic materials for the production of oil-bearing microorgansims.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: SOLAZYME, INC.
    Inventors: Donald E. Trimbur, Chung-Soon Im, Harrison F. Dillon, Anthony G. Day, Scott Franklin, Anna Coragliotti
  • Publication number: 20130331584
    Abstract: Recombinant DNA techniques are used to produce oleaginous recombinant cells that produce triglyceride oils having desired fatty acid profiles and regiospecific or stereospecific profiles. Genes manipulated include those encoding stearoyl-ACP desturase, delta 12 fatty acid desaturase, acyl-ACP thioesterase, ketoacyl-ACP synthase, and lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase. The oil produced can have enhanced oxidative or thermal stability, or can be useful as a frying oil, shortening, roll-in shortening, tempering fat, cocoa butter replacement, as a lubricant, or as a feedstock for various chemical processes. The fatty acid profile can be enriched in midchain profiles or the oil can be enriched in triglycerides of the saturated-unsaturated-saturated type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: Solazyme, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Franklin, Aravind Somanchi, George Rudenko, Riyaz Bhat, Xinhua Zhao, Risha Bond, Walter Rakitsky, Alejandro Marangoni, Diza Braksmayer
  • Publication number: 20130323823
    Abstract: Recombinant DNA techniques are used to produce oleaginous recombinant cells that produce triglyceride oils having desired fatty acid profiles and regiospecific or stereospecific profiles. Genes manipulated include those encoding stearoyl-ACP desturase, delta 12 fatty acid desaturase, acyl-ACP thioesterase, ketoacyl-ACP synthase, and lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase. The oil produced can have enhanced oxidative or thermal stability, or can be useful as a frying oil, shortening, roll-in shortening, tempering fat, cocoa butter replacement, as a lubricant, or as a feedstock for various chemical processes. The fatty acid profile can be enriched in midchain profiles or the oil can be enriched in triglycerides of the saturated-unsaturated-saturated type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Solazyme, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Franklin, Aravind Somanchi, George Rudenko, Riyaz Bhat, Xinhua Zhao, Risha Bond, Walter Rakitsky, Alejandro Marangoni, Diza Braksmayer
  • Publication number: 20130316410
    Abstract: Recombinant DNA techniques are used to produce oleaginous recombinant cells that produce triglyceride oils having desired fatty acid profiles and regiospecific or stereospecific profiles. Genes manipulated include those encoding stearoyl-ACP desturase, delta 12 fatty acid desaturase, acyl-ACP thioesterase, ketoacyl-ACP synthase, and lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase. The oil produced can have enhanced oxidative or thermal stability, or can be useful as a frying oil, shortening, roll-in shortening, tempering fat, cocoa butter replacement, as a lubricant, or as a feedstock for various chemical processes. The fatty acid profile can be enriched in midchain profiles or the oil can be enriched in triglycerides of the saturated-unsaturated-saturated type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: Solazyme, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Franklin, Aravind Somanchi, George Rudenko, Riyaz Bhat, Xinhua Zhao, Risha Bond, Walter Rakitsky, Alejandro Marangoni, Diza Braksmayer
  • Patent number: 8592188
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for the production of oil, fuels, oleochemicals, and other compounds in recombinant microorganisms are provided, including oil-bearing microorganisms and methods of low cost cultivation of such microorganisms. Microalgal cells containing exogenous genes encoding, for example, a lipase, a sucrose transporter, a sucrose invertase, a fructokinase, a polysaccharide-degrading enzyme, a keto acyl-ACP synthase enzyme, a fatty acyl-ACP thioesterase, a fatty acyl-CoA/aldehyde reductase, a fatty acyl-CoA reductase, a fatty aldehyde reductase, a fatty aldehyde decarbonylase, and/or an acyl carrier protein are useful in manufacturing transportation fuels such as renewable diesel, biodiesel, and renewable jet fuel, as well as oleochemicals such as functional fluids, surfactants, soaps and lubricants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Solazyme, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Franklin, Aravind Somanchi, Janice Wee, George Rudenko, Jeffrey L. Moseley, Walt Rakitsky
  • Patent number: 8580540
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to the production of hydrocarbon compositions, such as a lipid, in microorganisms. In particular, the invention provides methods for extracting, recovering, isolating and obtaining a lipid from a microorganism and compositions comprising the lipid. The invention also discloses methods for producing hydrocarbon compositions for use as biodiesel, renewable diesel, jet fuel, and other materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Solazyme, Inc.
    Inventors: Harrison F. Dillon, Dan Elefant, Anthony G. Day, Scott Franklin, Jon Wittenberg
  • Publication number: 20130295268
    Abstract: Chemically modified lipids and methods for their preparation are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: Solazyme, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony G. Day, Geoffrey Brooks, Scott Franklin
  • Publication number: 20130296591
    Abstract: Chemically modified lipids and methods for their preparation are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: Solazyme, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony G. Day, Geoffrey Brooks, Scott Franklin
  • Publication number: 20130273621
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are obligate heterotrophic microalgae cells containing an exogenous gene. In some embodiments the gene is a sucrose utilization gene, and further disclosed are methods of manufacturing triglyceride oils using sugar cane or sugar beets as a feedstock in a heterotrophic fermentation. In other embodiments the feedstock is depolymerized cellulosic material. Also disclosed are cells that produce medium chain fatty acids at levels not produced in non-recombinant cells of the same species and genus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: SOLAZYME, INC.
    Inventors: SCOTT FRANKLIN, ARAVIND SOMANCHI, KAREN ESPINA, GEORGE RUDENKO, PENELOPE CHUA
  • Patent number: 8557249
    Abstract: The invention provides cosmetic compositions comprising microalgal biomass, whole microalgal cells, and/or microalgal oil in combination with one or more other cosmetic ingredients, and methods of making such compositions. In preferred embodiments, the microalgal components of the cosmetic compositions are derived from microalgal cultures grown heterotrophically and which comprise at least 10% oil by dry weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Solazyme, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey Brooks, Scott Franklin
  • Publication number: 20130236937
    Abstract: Provided are biomass-based materials and valuable uses of microalgal biomass including: (i) acetylation of microalgal biomass to produce a material useful in the production of thermoplastics; (ii) use of triglyceride containing microalgal biomass for production of thermoplastics; (iii) combination of microalgal biomass and at least one type of plant polymer to produce a material useful in the production of thermoplastics; (iv) anionization of microalgal biomass to form a water absorbant material; (v) cationization of microalgal biomass, and optional flocculation, to form a water absorbant material; (vi) crosslinking of anionized microalgal biomass; (vii) carbonization of microalgal biomass; and (viii) use of microalgal biomass in the making of paper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: SOLAZYME, INC.
    Inventors: Ali Harlin, Anna-stiina Jääskeläinen, Jani Kiuru, Christiane Laine, Tiina Liitiä, Kalle Nättinen, Jaakko Pere, Sonia Sousa, John Piechocki, Adrienne McKee, Jeffrey J. Cernohous, Adam R. Pawloski
  • Patent number: 8518689
    Abstract: The invention provides methods of manufacturing oils and oil-based products such as transportation fuels, industrial chemicals, edible oils, lubricants and plastics using sucrose feedstocks from sugar cane, sugar beets, and molasses for bioproduction processes. The disclosed processes utilize oleaginous microbes as a conversion technology to convert chemical energy produced by sugar cane, molasses and sugar beets into energy-containing oils and oil derivatives. Also provided herein are oleaginous microbes containing one or more exogenous sucrose utilization genes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Solazyme, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Trimbur, Chung-Soon Im, Harrison F. Dillon, Anthony G. Day, Scott Franklin, Anna Coragliotti
  • Patent number: 8512999
    Abstract: The invention provides methods of cultivating oil-bearing microbes using xylose alone or in combination with other depolymerized cellulosic material. Also provided are microorganisms comprising an exogenous gene encoding a polysaccharide degrading enzyme, such as a cellulase, a hemicellulase, a pectinase, or a driselase. Some methods of microbial fermentation are provided that comprise the use of xylose and depolymerized cellulosic materials for the production of oil-bearing microorgansims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Solazyme, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Trimbur, Chung-Soon Im, Harrison F. Dillon, Anthony G. Day, Scott Franklin, Anna Coragliotti
  • Publication number: 20130197247
    Abstract: Genetically engineered microbial, e.g., Prototheca, cells provide microbial oil useful as a food additive and a source of renewable fuels and industrial chemicals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: SOLAZYME, INC.
    Inventor: Solazyme, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8497116
    Abstract: The invention provides methods of manufacturing oils and oil-based products such as transportation fuels, industrial chemicals, lubricants and plastics using sugar cane, sugar cane juice, corn steep liquor, corn starch or depolymerized cellulosic material as a feedstock for bioproduction processes. Oils are manufactured using microalgae expressing sucrose invertase, which allows the microalgae to produce oil using sucrose-based feedstocks, along or in combination with other feedstocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Solazyme, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Trimbur, Chung-Soon Im, Harrison F. Dillon, Anthony G. Day, Scott Franklin, Anna Coragliotti
  • Patent number: 8476059
    Abstract: The invention provides methods of manufacturing oils and oil-based products such as transportation fuels, industrial chemicals, edible oils, lubricants and plastics using sugar cane, sugar beets, and cane/beet agricultural processing byproducts as a feedstock for bioproduction processes. The disclosed processes utilize oil-bearing microbes as a conversion technology to convert chemical energy produced by sugar cane and sugar beets into energy-containing oils and oil derivatives. Also provided herein are oil-bearing microbes containing one or more exogenous sucrose utilization genes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Solazyme, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Trimbur, Chung-Soon Im, Harrison F. Dillon, Anthony G. Day, Scott Franklin, Anna Coragliotti