Using Algae Patents (Class 435/946)
  • Patent number: 11963485
    Abstract: A natural invasion promoting method that is environmentally friendly, easy to carry out, can cope with a wide range of areas and inclined surfaces, achieves efficient natural invasion, and can satisfactorily promote greening on a soil surface of interest, and a spraying material used in the method are provided. A natural invasion promoting method including: spraying a spraying material containing live algae on a soil surface; breeding the live algae; and also directly or indirectly catching flying seeds or spores by a tacky substance secreted on surfaces of the live algae or a catching structure composed of the live algae to promote greening on the soil surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignees: NIPPON KOEI CO., LTD., NIKKEN SOHONSHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mineto Tomisaka, Masaru Onodera, Fumiko Iwaki, Hisako Sanada, Taketo Nakano, Nobuo Mori, Ryo Sumi, Kanya Tokunaga
  • Patent number: 11773360
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an algal cultivation system comprising an algal pond. The algal pond comprises a growth chamber containing algal culture which is exposed to light to enable rapid growth of algae therein, and a regeneration chamber which is substantially devoid of light and configured to provide a residence time to algal culture for repair of damaged proteins of algal cells. The present disclosure also relates to a process for biomass production, comprising circulating algal culture using convection current or forced convection, between the growth chamber and the regeneration chamber. The system and process facilitate in increasing biomass and mitigating salinity and/or temperature variations in the algal culture (A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: RELIANCE INDUSTRIES LIMITED
    Inventors: Natarajan Mohan, Amit Vinod Mahulkar, Ganesh K. Veluswamy, Avinash Ramchandra Khopkar, Ganesh Lakshman Maddikeri, Nitin Narayan Kirdat, Arun Banerjee, Ravikumar Yelchuri
  • Patent number: 11499052
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing lycopene crystals with high purity and low harm. The method comprises the following steps: (1) mixing lycopene oleoresin with a mixed solvent consisting of an alkane and a lower alcohol, and heating and stirring the resultant for dissolution to form a homogenous solution; (2) cooling the homogenous solution for crystallization, filtering the resultant to obtain a filter cake; and (3) washing the filter cake successively using a lower alcohol and an alkane, and drying the resultant to obtain lycopene crystals. According to the method provided by the present invention, lycopene crystals can be obtained using a mixed solvent by means of one step crystallization, and the crystal content is further improved and harmful substances in the crystals are reduced by means of a two-step crystal washing process to obtain lycopene crystals with high purity and low harm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: CHENGUANG BIOTECH GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Qingguo Lu, Yunhe Lian, Zhiming Zhang, Xiaodong An, Qianli Li, Wei Gao
  • Patent number: 9034632
    Abstract: This disclosure provides compositions and methods for culturing microorganisms. The disclosure includes mixtures of different microorganisms, especially mixtures of cyanobacteria with fermentative microorganisms. For example, methods and compositions related to co-cultures of yeast and cyanobacteria are provided. Also provided are feedstocks derived from cyanobacteria as well as methods of making such feedstocks and methods of culturing microorganisms in such feedstocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: HelioBioSys, Inc.
    Inventors: Rocco Mancinelli, David Smernoff
  • Patent number: 8956854
    Abstract: A zero-discharge landfill process is disclosed herein. The process described in the present invention recycles the exhaust gases from a combustion engine which reheats the landfill and provides moisture. Additionally, the CO2 from the exhaust gases releases additional methane. Methane production in landfills can thus be enhanced by the method of the present invention. Furthermore, a portion of the exhaust gas can be used to cultivate algae in a cultivation tank. The cultivation of the algal species is enhanced in the presence of water, CO2, CO, and the elevated temperatures. Optionally, a first portion of the cultivated algae can be passed through the landfill to increase methane production in the landfill and a second portion of the cultivated algae can be transferred to a biodiesel production tank, for the conversion of the one or more algal oils and lipids to a biodiesel or a biofuel by a transesterification reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Russell R. Chianelli, Xiomara Carolina Chianelli
  • Patent number: 8921088
    Abstract: The present invention includes a method for harvesting or separating one or more biological cells from an aqueous feed, a stream, a suspension, or any combinations thereof by providing the aqueous feed, the stream, or the suspension comprising the one or more biological cells in a tank or a vessel; providing one or more ion-exchange resins, wherein the ion-exchange resin is an anion-exchange resin; contacting the anion-exchange resin with the aqueous feed; binding the one or more biological cells to the anion-exchange resin; releasing or eluting the bound one or more biological cells by changing the pH; and collecting the released one or more biological cells to obtain a concentrated slurry or suspension of the one or more biological cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Martin Poenie, Jessica Jones
  • Patent number: 8748160
    Abstract: Systems, methods and media for carbonation of fluid in an algae cultivation pond via the use of backward-facing steps are disclosed. In a first aspect, a method for initiating carbonation of a fluid flow in an algae cultivation pond is disclosed. Fluid flow is initiated over a backward-facing step in the algae cultivation pond. A backflow region is generated in the fluid flow downstream of the backward-facing step. Carbon dioxide is provided to the backflow region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Aurora Alage, Inc.
    Inventors: Mehran Parsheh, David Rice, Guido Radaelli
  • Patent number: 8685706
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for restoring disturbed arid land soil crust. According to the process, site-sourced biological soil crusts (BSC) serve as sources for liquid suspension inoculants onto degraded arid lands. The BSC are gathered from near the disturbed site, and organisms from them are cultured, replicated and multiplied many times, preferably off-site. Then, this inoculant resulting from the indigenous population is distributed live and active in a liquid suspension over the entire area of the disturbed site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Living Earth, LLC
    Inventor: Steven R. Paulsen
  • Patent number: 8642325
    Abstract: An apparatus for cultivating algae integrates a deep pond approach with an advanced photobioreactor concept. The apparatus comprises a deep (one foot or deeper) pond with a v-shaped or trough bottom, where, through gravity, algae will settle to the bottom of the trough and be pumped through a clear pipe located near or submerged under the surface of aqueous algae fluid via a heating pipe, which is also located near the surface of the algae fluid and be sprayed out into the air through spraying pipes distributed throughout the pond. With the combination of a v-shaped bottom deep pond, gravity, and clear pipes under aqueous algae fluids, algae can be exposed to sunlight much longer than the conventional approaches without being over exposed or heated and can thereby provide substantially better yields. The invention also introduces an electro-mechanical scrubbing ball that can be used to clean the piping system remotely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventors: Saranya Benjauthrit, Jean Benjauthrit, Boonsieng Benjauthrit
  • Patent number: 8637299
    Abstract: A Capture Carbon Storage (CCS) Process for the economical capture of carbon dioxide from coal fuel gas, and the storage of the carbon dioxide as lipid oil or the use of the environmentally begin oil for transportation. The lipid oil may be refined into gasoline, biodiesel fuel, jet fuel, ethanol, and methane which provide a renewable energy resource for the United State's future energy needs. It is a new fuel form which has been both chemically and physically altered to reduce the emissions of carbon dioxide. It is a coal cleaning/upgrading process which produces a refined fuel, Hydrogen, that may be used to produce electricity and an environmentally begin biofuel for transportation. The renewable fuel will produce no carbon foot print at the internal combustion engine's exhaust pipe. The CCS Process will produce a 100% reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions into the atmosphere and thereby, stop the Global Warming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Inventor: Albert Norman Heichberger
  • Patent number: 8633011
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for the production of macroalgae in a manner to provide a sustained, economical source of biomass that may be used in various end-use processes, including energy production. The invention provides specific combinations of macroalgae types, saltwater growth medium compositions, and open pond water containers that results in biomass production beyond what may occur naturally without the required manipulation. Specifically, macroalgae that produce an exoskeleton in the presence of brackish water (e.g., stoneworts) have been found to provide excellent biomass production under the conditions of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Palmer Labs, LLC
    Inventors: Miles Palmer, Bart R. Reid
  • Patent number: 8603488
    Abstract: The invention provides methods of cultivating microalgae photoautotrophically outdoors to prepare concentrated microalgae products containing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) docosahexaenoic acid, two long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids found in fish oil that are very important for human and animal health. It also provides concentrated microalgae products containing EPA and DHA and purified lipid products containing EPA and DHA purified from microalgae.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Parry Nutraceuticals, Division of E.I.D. Parry (India) Ltd
    Inventors: Swati Sebastian Thomas, Swaminathan Kumaravel
  • Patent number: 8569040
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to compositions and methods for more efficiently and effectively growing microalgae suitable for biofuel production. In one aspect, the invention pertains to a composition comprising microalgae and a suitable growth medium. The suitable growth medium comprises a nutritionally acceptable nitrate salt, and a carbonate salt. The concentration of nutritionally acceptable nitrate salt is from about 75 to about 200 ?M while the concentration of carbonate salt is from about 1 to about 6 mM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignees: Georgia Tech Research Corporation, Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Nils Kroger, Stephen J. Miller, Nicole Poulsen
  • Patent number: 8563296
    Abstract: Embodiments of a process for discharging amine byproducts formed in an amine-based solvent are provided. The process comprises the steps of contacting the amine-based solvent with flue gas comprising carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen, NOx, SOx, or mixtures thereof to form a carbon dioxide-laden amine-based solvent that contains the amine byproducts. Carbon dioxide is separated from the carbon dioxide-laden amine-based solvent to form a carbon dioxide-depleted amine-based solvent. The amine byproducts from the carbon dioxide-depleted amine-based solvent are fed to an algae source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: David W. Greer, Graham Ellis, Edward Zbacnik, Lubo Zhou
  • Patent number: 8450111
    Abstract: A one-step process for the lysis of microalgae cell walls and separation of the cellular lipids for use in biofuel production by utilizing a hydrophilic ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium. The hydrophilic ionic liquid both lyses the microalgae cell walls and forms two immiscible layers, one of which consists of the lipid contents of the lysed cells. After mixture of the hydrophilic ionic liquid with a suspension of microalgae cells, gravity causes a hydrophobic lipid phase to move to a top phase where it is removed from the mixture and purified. The hydrophilic ionic liquid is recycled to lyse new microalgae suspensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Streamline Automation, LLC
    Inventors: Roberto Di Salvo, Alton Reich, H. Waite H. Dykes, Jr., Rodrigo Teixeira
  • Patent number: 8414881
    Abstract: Consumption of blue-green algae, or extracts thereof, enhances trafficking or homing of stem cells in animals by inducing a transient increase in the population of stem cells present in the animal's circulatory system. The animal may be healthy or suffering some disease or physiological condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Desert Lake Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gitte S. Jensen, Christian Drapeau
  • Patent number: 8288135
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for growing the microflora Thraustochytrium, Schizochytrium, and mixtures thereof, which includes the growing of the microflora in fermentation medium containing non-chloride containing sodium salts, in particular sodium sulfate. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the process produces microflora having a cell aggregate size useful for the production of food products for use in aquaculture. Further disclosed is a food product which includes Thraustochytrium, Schizochytrium, and mixtures thereof, and a component selected from flaxseed, rapeseed, soybean and avocado meal. Such a food product includes a balance of long chain and short chain omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: DSM IP Assets B.V.
    Inventor: William R. Barclay
  • Patent number: 8241868
    Abstract: A method for isolating one compound or more than one compound from a biomass which contains microorganisms that have produced the compound or compounds, the method comprising the following steps: (a) preparing or obtaining wet cells having an average moisture content of between 30% and 80%; (b) subjecting the wet cells to primary drying to obtain primary dried cells having an average moisture content of between 5% and 50%; (c) subjecting the primary dried cells obtained in (b) to secondary drying to obtain secondary dried cells having an average moisture content of no greater than 10%; and (d) extracting or isolating, purifying and/or refining the compound or each of the compounds from the secondary dried cells obtained in (c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Nippon Suisan Kaisha, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Higashiyama, Toshiharu Nakajima
  • Patent number: 8187861
    Abstract: For extracting phosphorous from algae-in a body of water, the algae are deposited into a sealable tank (200) that is then evacuated, thereby rupturing the algal cell walls. The ruptured algae are then moved to a second tank (260), mixed with water and bacterial cultures, and allowed to settle until the lipids rise to the top and the oil-less debris settles to the bottom. The second tank also contains sacrificial (295) and rusted electrodes (320). The phosphorous from the algae combines with the rust. The lipids and debris are then removed. Next, an electrical source (315) causes the rust to be removed from the rusted electrodes and settle. In addition, a phosphorous-rich scum floats to the top. These components are placed in storage containers for later use and the water is returned, thereby reducing its phosphorous content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Inventor: Allen John Schuh
  • Patent number: 8034328
    Abstract: Consumption of blue-green algae, or extracts thereof, enhances trafficking or homing of stem cells in animals by inducing a transient increase in the population of stem cells present in the animal's circulatory system. The animal may be healthy or suffering some disease or physiological condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Desert Lake Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gitte S. Jensen, Christian Drapeau
  • Patent number: 8030037
    Abstract: The invention provides methods of cultivating microalgae photoautotrophically outdoors to prepare concentrated microalgae products containing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) docosahexaenoic acid, two long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids found in fish oil that are very important for human and animal health. It also provides concentrated microalgae products containing EPA and DHA and purified lipid products containing EPA and DHA purified from microalgae.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Parry Nutraceuticals, Division of E.I.D. Parry (India) Ltd.
    Inventors: Swati Sebastian Thomas, Swaminathan Kumaravel
  • Patent number: 8017377
    Abstract: A method to produce high density microalgae having high lipid concentration in mass culture including the steps of inoculating a vessel with microalgae at mid-log phase to a depth greater than 25 cm. Then culturing the microalgae to a preselected target density threshold, bringing the microalgae to stationary phase, manipulating growth parameters to maximize lipid concentration and harvesting the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: AgOil International, LLC
    Inventor: Alan Maxwell Much
  • Patent number: 8008061
    Abstract: Most microalgae are obligate photoautotrophs and their growth is strictly dependent on the generation of photosynthetically-derived energy. In this study it is shown that the microalga Phaeodaclylurn tricornutum can be engineered to import glucose and grow in the dark through the introduction of genes encoding glucose transporters. Both the human and Chlorella kessleri glucose transporters facilitated the uptake of glucose by P. tricornutum, allowing the cells to metabolize exogenous organic carbon and thrive, independent of light. This is the first successful trophic conversion of an obligate photoautotroph through metabolic engineering, and it demonstrates that methods of cell nourishment can be fundamentally altered with the introduction of a single gene. Since strains transformed with the glucose transport genes are able to grow non-photosynthetically, they can be exploited for the analysis of photosynthetic processes through mutant generation and characterization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Martek Biosciences Corporation
    Inventors: Kirk Emil Apt, F. C. Thomas Allnutt, David J. Kyle, James Casy Lippmeier
  • Patent number: 7736885
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing arachidonic acid. In one embodiment, Mortierella sect. schmuckeri microorganisms are cultured in fermentation medium, preferably containing a component of a complex nitrogen source. Further disclosed is a food product which includes Mortierella sect. schmuckeri microorganisms or lipid isolated from such microorganisms to enhance the arachidonic acid content of the food product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Martek Biosciences, Inc.
    Inventor: William R. Barclay
  • Patent number: 7507554
    Abstract: The present invention describes a process for the production of ethanol by harvesting starch-accumulating filament-forming or colony-forming algae to form a biomass, initiating cellular decay of the biomass, fermenting the biomass in the presence of a yeast, and the isolating the ethanol produced. The present invention further relates to processing of the biomass remaining after ethanol production to recovering biodiesel starting materials and/or generation of heat and carbon dioxide via combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Propulsion Logic, LLC
    Inventors: Ronnie A. Bush, Kevin M. Hall
  • Patent number: 7381558
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for growing the microflora Thraustochytrium, Schizochytrium, and mixtures thereof, which includes the growing of the microflora in fermentation medium containing non-chloride containing sodium salts, in particular sodium sulfate. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the process produces microflora having a cell aggregate size useful for the production of food products for use in aquaculture. Further disclosed is a food product which includes Thraustochytrium, Schizochytrium, and mixtures thereof, and a component selected from flaxseed, rapeseed, soybean and avocado meal. Such a food product includes a balance of long chain and short chain omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Martek Biosciences Corporation
    Inventor: William R. Barclay
  • Patent number: 7374908
    Abstract: It is intended to provide a process for conveniently and efficiently producing large amounts of astaxanthin and canthaxanthin from a material which can be easily obtained. A microorganism Thraustochytrium sp. CHN-3 (FERM P-18556) capable of producing astaxanthin and canthaxanthin, which belongs to the genus Labyrinthula and the Thraustochytrium species, is cultured and thus astaxanthin and canthaxanthin are accumulated in the microbial cells. Then the cells are separated from the medium and astaxanthin and canthaxanthin are collected from the separated cells by extracting with a solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventor: Yukiho Yamaoka
  • Patent number: 7135308
    Abstract: The present invention describes a process for the production of ethanol by harvesting starch-accumulating filament-forming or colony-forming algae to form a biomass, initiating cellular decay of the biomass in a dark and anaerobic environment, fermenting the biomass in the presence of a yeast, and the isolating the ethanol produced. The present invention further relates to processing of the biomass remaining after ethanol production to recovering biodiesel starting materials and/or generation of heat and carbon dioxide via combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Propulsion Logic, LLC
    Inventors: Ronnie A. Bush, Kevin M. Hall
  • Patent number: 7122337
    Abstract: A method of determining calciotropic activity of a preparation of algae of the genus Padina pavonica. The algae preparation may be in the form of a powder or an extract. The method consists of culturing human or animal osteoblasts in a culture medium containing calcium ions in a well plate. The preparation is added thereto and non-fixed calcium ions are eliminated in the culture medium. Further, the culture medium is acidified to destroy an extracellular matrix formed by the osteoblasts in the culture medium. Thereafter, filtering of the culture medium is carried out and then a concentration of fixed calcium ions in the osteoblasts is determined and compared with a calibration scale of a known activator of the fixation of calcium or in the presence of an inhibitor of the fixation of calcium or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignees: Texinfine SA, Patrinove SC
    Inventor: Gilles Gutierrez
  • Patent number: 7033584
    Abstract: A process is provided for growing microflora of the order Thraustochytriales such as Thraustochytrium, Schizochytrium, and mixtures thereof, in fermentation medium containing non-chloride containing sodium salts, in particular sodium sulfate. In a preferred embodiment, the process produce, microflora having a cell aggregate size useful for the production of food products for use in aquaculture. Further provided is a food product which includes Thraustochytrium, Schizochytrium, and mixture thereof, and a component selected from flaxseed, reapedeed, soybean and avocado meal. Such a food product includes a balance of long chain and short chain omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids. A method for increasing omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acid content of eggs by feeding a feed to poultry. The feed contains the microorganisms of the order Thraustochytriales having a omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acid content of more than 6.7 percent of total cell dry weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Omegatech, Inc.
    Inventor: William R. Barclay
  • Patent number: 7022512
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for growing the microflora Thraustochytrium, Schizochytrium, and mixtures thereof, which includes the growing of the microflora in fermentation medium containing non-chloride containing sodium salts, in particular sodium sulfate. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the process produces microflora having a cell aggregate size useful for the production of food products for use in aquaculture. Further disclosed is a food product which includes Thraustochytrium, Schizochytrium, and mixtures thereof, and a component selected from flaxseed, rapeseed, soybean and avocado meal. Such a food product includes a balance of long chain and short chain omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Martek Biosciences Corporation
    Inventor: William R. Barclay
  • Patent number: 7022509
    Abstract: A method for removing a gas from a site comprising placing cells having gas vesicles under conditions that induce the cells to float to a surface of an aqueous medium, harvesting the cells from the surface of the medium, lysing the cells, separating the gas vesicles from the lysed cells, crosslinking the gas vesicles with a crosslinking agent, loading a gas with a lowered partial pressure for the compound to be removed into the gas vesicles, and placing the gas vesicles such that the gas compound is removed from the site. Harvesting gas-vesicle-containing cells is achieved by placing the cells under conditions that induce the cells to rise to the surface of an aqueous medium—such as darkness, exponential growth stage, flocculation, or dissolved gas flotation—then collecting the cells from the surface of the medium. Gas vesicles are isolated by lysing the cells and separating the gas vesicles from the lysate. Once the gas vesicles are isolated, they can be modified, such as by crosslinking with glutaraldehyde.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: The University of Akron
    Inventors: Lu-Kwang Ju, Anand Sundararajan, Sunil Kashyap
  • Patent number: 6989252
    Abstract: A reversible physiological process provides for the temporal separation of oxygen evolution and hydrogen production in a microorganism, which includes the steps of growing a culture of the microorganism in medium under illuminated conditions to accumulate an endogenous substrate, depleting from the medium a nutrient selected from the group consisting of sulfur, iron, and/or manganese, sealing the culture from atmospheric oxygen, incubating the culture in light whereby a rate of light-induced oxygen production is equal to or less than a rate of respiration, and collecting an evolved gas. The process is particularly useful to accomplish a sustained photobiological hydrogen gas production in cultures of microorganisms, such as Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Midwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Anastasios Melis, Liping Zhang, John R. Benemann, Marc Forestier, Maria Ghirardi, Michael Seibert
  • Patent number: 6977167
    Abstract: A process for the heterotrophic or predominantly heterotrophic production of whole-celled or extracted microbial products with a high concentration of omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids, producible in an aerobic culture under controlled conditions using biologically pure cultures of heterotrophic single-celled fungi microorganisms of the order Thraustochytriales. The harvested whole-cell microbial product can be added to processed foods as a nutritional supplement, or to fish and animal feeds to enhance the omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acid content of products produced from these animals. The lipids containing these fatty acids can also be extracted and used in nutritional, pharmaceutical and industrial applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Martek Biosciences Corporation
    Inventor: William R. Barclay
  • Patent number: 6977076
    Abstract: Chlorella extracts containing high molecular weight Chlorella polysaccharide and polysaccharide complexes show immune modulatory, specifically immune stimulatory, activity. The polysaccharide and polysaccharide complexes contain glucose and any combination of: galactose, rhamnose, mannose and arabinose, as well as N-acetyl glucosamine and N-acetyl galactosamine. The extracts may be treated with pronase, DNAse, RNAse and proteases to remove unassociated nucleic acids, ribonucleic acids and proteins. The extracts may also undergo treatment to effect cleavage of specific glycosidic linkages, the linkages being defined by their susceptibility to cleavage by amylase, amyloglucosidase, cellulase or neuraminidase. Chlorella extracts may be administered to a mammal to increase proliferation of splenocytes and increase production of cytokines such as IL-6, IL-10, INF-? and TNF-?. They may be used as a supplement to a vaccination regimen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Ocean Nutrition Canada Limited
    Inventor: Jaroslav A. Kralovec
  • Patent number: 6974576
    Abstract: Chlorella extracts containing high molecular weight Chlorella polysaccharide and polysaccharide complexes show immune modulatory, specifically immune stimulatory, activity. The polysaccharide and polysaccharide complexes contain glucose and any combination of: galactose, rhamnose, mannose and arabinose, as well as N-acetyl glucosamine and N-acetyl galactosamine. The extracts may be treated with pronase, DNAse, RNAse and proteases to remove unassociated nucleic acids, ribonucleic acids and proteins. The extracts may also undergo treatment to effect cleavage of specific glycosidic linkages, the linkages being defined by their susceptibility to cleavage by amylase, amyloglucosidase, cellulase or neuraminidase. Chlorella extracts may be administered to a mammal to increase proliferation of splenocytes and increase production of cytokines such as IL-6, IL-10, INF-? and TNF-?. They may be used as a supplement to a vaccination regimen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Ocean Nutrition Canada Limited
    Inventor: Jaroslav A. Kralovec
  • Patent number: 6936459
    Abstract: The invention relates to the development of a novel medium starting from fresh water using a salt solution complex comprising a non conventional salt, namely KCl and conventional salts such as NaCl and MgSO4 in the proportion defined in the specification to generate biomass of higher carotenogenesis in particular Betacarotene and its isomers using Dunaliella salina ARL5 in a single stage of active growth. D.salina ARL5, a local isolate, has an unique property of having a wide range of pH and temperature tolerance which is beneficial in production terms as it is grown in external conditions (i.e. outdoors).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Proalgen Biotech Limited
    Inventors: Nidamangala Srinivasa Venkatesh, Rajagopal Balaji, Parthasarathy Satnyamurthy
  • Patent number: 6893642
    Abstract: The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition containing proteoglycan extracts of algae and a process for preparing proteoglycan extracts from the algae.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Inventors: Qing Qi, Jian Ding
  • Patent number: 6814961
    Abstract: Consumption of blue-green algae, or extracts thereof, enhances trafficking or homing of stem cells in animals by inducing a transient increase in the population of stem cells present in the animal's circulatory system. The animal may be healthy or suffering some disease or physiological condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Inventors: Gitte S. Jensen, Christian Drapeau
  • Patent number: 6811999
    Abstract: A method of determining calciotropic activity of a preparation of algae of the genus Padina pavonica. The algae preparation may be in the form of a powder or an extract. The method consists of culturing human or animal osteoblasts in a culture medium containing calcium ions in a well plate. The preparation is added thereto and non-fixed calcium ions are eliminated in the culture medium. Further, the culture medium is acidified to destroy an extracellular matrix formed by the osteoblasts in the culture medium. Thereafter, filtering of the culture medium is carried out and then a concentration of fixed calcium ions in the osteoblasts is determined and compared with a calibration scale of a known activator of the fixation of calcium or in the presence of an inhibitor of the fixation of calcium or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignees: Texinfine S.A., Patrinove S.C.
    Inventor: Gutierrez Gilles
  • Patent number: 6582941
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the Schizochytrium genus SR21 strain and a microorganism belonging to the same species as does said SR21 strain or having substantially the same fungological properties as does said SR21 strain, the said SR21 strain and microorganism having the ability to produce the (n-3) series of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and the (n-6) series of docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), and the invention also relates to a process for preparing the (n-3) series of DHA and the (n-6) series of DPA utilizing said microorganisms. The microorganisms according to the present invention are superior in their proliferation character and their propensity to produce fat, and have the ability to produce the (n-3) series of DHA and the (n-6) series of DPA very well. Accordingly, it is possible to effectively produce the (n-3) series of DHA and/or the (n-6) series of DPA, which are useful in the fields of foods and pharmaceuticals, using the microorganisms according to the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignees: Japan as represented by Director-General of Agency of Industrial Science and Technology, Suntory Limited
    Inventors: Toshihiro Yokochi, Toro Nakahara, Takanori Higashihara, Satohiro Tanaka, Toshiaki Yaguchi
  • Patent number: 6566123
    Abstract: A biomass containing the microflora of the order Thraustochytriales preferably, Thraustochytrium, Schizochytrium, and mixtures thereof, is prepared by growing the microflora in a fermentation medium containing less than about 3 grams of chloride per liter of the cultural medium and a non-chloride containing sodium salts, in particular sodium sulfate. In a preferred embodiment, the process produces microflora having a cell aggregate size less than about 150 microns useful for the production of food products for use in aquaculture. Further disclosed is a food product which includes Thraustochytrium, Schizochytrium, and mixtures thereof, and a component selected from flaxseed, rapeseed, soybean and avocado meal. Such a food product includes a balance of long chain and short chain omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids. The lipids containing these fatty acids can also be extracted and used in nutritional, pharmaceutical and industrial applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Martek Biosciences Boulder Corporation
    Inventor: William R. Barclay
  • Patent number: 6551807
    Abstract: A purified nucleic acid sequence which encodes for a protein having ketolase enzyme activity and has the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or 3, or has a sequence which encodes the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 or 4, as well as vectors and host cells containing them. Methods of use of the nucleic acid sequences to produce ketocarotenoid in host cells and methods of use of the nucleic acid sequences to modify the production of carotenoids in a host cell are included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: University of Maryland
    Inventor: Francis X. Cunningham
  • Patent number: 6551596
    Abstract: Chlorella fractionated extracts containing high molecular weight Chlorella polysaccharide and polysaccharide complexes show immune modulatory, specifically immune stimulatory activity. The fractionated extracts are obtained by size fractionation of an extract of Chlorella and selecting fractions containing high molecular weight polysaccharides and polysaccharide complexes of about 1×104 Da to about 1×107 Da. A fraction of about 4×106 Da to about 1×107 Da is preferably obtained by size fractionation. The polysaccharide and polysaccharide complexes contain glucose and any combination of: galactose, rhamnose, mannose and arabinose, as well as N-acetyl glucosamine and N-acetyl galactosamine. The extracts may be treated with pronase, DNAse, RNAse and proteases to remove unassociated nucleic acids, ribonucleic acids and proteins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Ocean Nutrition Canada Limited
    Inventor: Jaroslav A. Kralovec
  • Patent number: 6465240
    Abstract: A method is provided for treating a waste stream by contacting the waste stream sequentially with a consortium of prokaryotic microorganisms, preferably purple non-sulfur bacteria, followed by a the green algae Chlorella. The consortium of prokaryotic microorganisms assimilate a first portion of the wastes, and the green algae assimilate the remaining portion of the wastes to produce a substantially purified effluent stream. Isolated microorganisms made by the above method are valuable commercial products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignees: Biotechna Environmental International, Ltd.
    Inventors: Howard M. Wexler, Joseph F. Startari
  • Patent number: 6451567
    Abstract: A process is provided for growing the microflora Thraustochytrium, Schizochytrium, and mixtures thereof, which includes the growing of the microflora in fermentation medium containing non-chloride containing sodium salts, in particular sodium sulfate. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the process produces microflora having a cell aggregate size useful for the production of food products for use in aquaculture. Further disclosed is a food product which includes Thraustochytrium, Schizochytrium, and mixtures thereof, and a component selected from flaxseed, rapeseed, soybean and avocado meal. Such a food product includes a balance of long chain and short chain omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids. Further, a process for producing lipids includes a fermentation by growing euryhaline microorganisms which are capable of producing 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Omegatech, Inc.
    Inventor: William R. Barclay
  • Patent number: 6413763
    Abstract: A method for removing a gas compound from a site comprising placing cells having gas vesicles under conditions that induce the cells to float to a surface of an aqueous medium, harvesting the cells from the surface of the medium, lysing the cells, separating the gas vesicles from the lysed cells, crosslinking the gas vesicles with a crosslinking agent, loading a gas with a lowered partial pressure for the gas compound to be removed into the gas vesicles, and placing the gas vesicles contacted with a medium such that the gas compound is removed from the site to the medium. Harvesting gas-vesicle-containing cells is achieved by placing the cells under conditions that induce the cells to rise to the surface of an aqueous medium. Then collecting the cells from the surface of the medium. Gas vesicles are isolated by lysing the cells and separating the gas vesicles from the lysate. Once the gas vesicles are isolated, they can be modified, such as by crosslinking with glutaraldehyde.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: The University of Akron
    Inventors: Lu-Kwang Ju, Anand Sundararajan, Sunil Kashyap
  • Patent number: 6410281
    Abstract: A process is provided for growing the microflora Thraustochytrium, Schizochytrium, and mixtures thereof, which includes the growing of the microflora in fermentation medium containing non-chloride containing sodium salts, in particular sodium sulfate. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the process produces microflora having a cell aggregate size useful for the production of food products for use in aquaculture. Further disclosed is a food product which includes Thraustochytrium, Schizochytrium, and mixtures thereof, and a component selected from flaxseed, rapeseed, soybean and avocado meal. Such a food product includes a balance of long chain and short chain omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Omegatech, Inc.
    Inventor: William R. Barclay
  • Patent number: 6156561
    Abstract: A system and method for its use for efficiently culturing algae such as Spirulina are provided. The system comprises a culture pool for exposing a culture fluid containing the algae to sunlight, a culture tank having a larger depth than the culture pool, which is disposed adjacent to the culture pool, a supply unit for supplying the culture fluid from the culture pool to the culture tank, and at least one filter for removing grown algae from the culture fluid overflowing from the culture tank to the culture pool, while allowing to return a filtrate containing immature algae to the culture pool. It is preferred that this system further comprises a unit for mixing a gas containing carbon dioxide in the culture fluid to be supplied in the culture tank, and a lighting unit disposed in the culture tank to provide an artificial light to the culture fluid. In this case, it is possible to carry out the photosynthesis of the algae night and day.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Spirulina Biological Lab., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiun Kodo, Yasumasa Kodo
  • Patent number: 5948405
    Abstract: Fucans with low molecular weight having anticoagulant, antithrombinic and antithrombotic activity.Fucan sulfates having molecular weight between 14000 and 29000 Dalton show a remarkable anticoagulant activity both in the global coagulation mechanism (APTT) and in the last phase of coagulation (antithrombinic activity). These compounds are useful also as antithrombotic drugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Crinos Industria Farmacobiologica S.p.A.
    Inventors: Armando Cedro, Roberto Porta, Franco Cattaneo, Fabio Trento, Laura Ferro, Ennio Lanzarotti