Abstract: Methods of producing high purity palmitoleic acid esters from natural oils are disclosed. The natural oils may comprise plant oil, nut oil, microalgae oil, and fish oil. The methods of processing the natural oil comprise transesterification with ethanol as the reacting solvent to produce ethyl esters. Methods of producing a high purity fraction of Omega-3, 6, & 9 fatty acid esters from natural oils are also disclosed. The high purity fatty acid esters may be used in nutrition, cosmetic, and nutraceutical products.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for culturing microorganisms are described, including culturing in mixotrophic culture conditions. A bioreactor array with multiple culture vessels with independently controllable inputs is used to culture similar cultures of microorganisms in which at least one parameter differs from other culture vessels in the bioreactor array.

Abstract: Methods of culturing microorganisms in combinations of phototrophic, mixotrophic, and heterotrophic culture conditions are disclosed. A culture of microorganisms may be transitioned between culture conditions over the life of a culture in various combinations, utilizing various conditions in a sequential manner to optimize the culture for growth or product accumulation.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a method. The method can include: inoculating a bioreactor with one or more first microorganisms and a first fluidic support medium, the bioreactor having one or more bioreactor walls at least partially enclosing a bioreactor cavity, being configured to be at least one of folded up or rolled up, and being sterile when the bioreactor is inoculated with the one or more first microorganisms, the one or more bioreactor walls having at least one bioreactor wall material, and the at least one bioreactor wall material being flexible and at least partially transparent; and vitally supporting the one or more first microorganisms with the bioreactor, a supply of light, and a supply of organic carbon. Other embodiments of related systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a method. The method can include: providing one or more bioreactor walls of a bioreactor, the one or more bioreactor walls having at least one bioreactor wall material; providing one or more bioreactor fittings of the bioreactor, the one or more bioreactor fittings having at least one gas delivery fitting; providing one or more gas delivery devices of the bioreactor; providing one or more flexible tubes of the bioreactor, the one or more flexible tubes having at least one gas delivery tube; providing at least one parameter sensing device; and assembling the bioreactor. Other embodiments of related systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a method. The method includes: providing a support structure; and providing a bioreactor operable to vitally support one or more microorganisms. The bioreactor includes a bioreactor cavity configured to contain the one or more microorganisms and a fluidic support medium and one or more bioreactor walls at least partially enclosing the bioreactor cavity. The bioreactor wall(s) have at least one bioreactor wall material that is flexible. The support structure is operable to mechanically support the bioreactor. Other embodiments of related systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a system having a support structure configured to mechanically support a first bioreactor. The support structure can have a first frame and a second frame together being configured to mechanically support the first bioreactor in interposition between the first frame and the second frame. The first frame can maintain a first set point temperature of the first bioreactor through an exchange of thermal energy between the first frame and the first bioreactor when the first bioreactor is vitally supporting one or more first microorganisms and when the support structure is mechanically supporting the first bioreactor. Other embodiments of related systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a system comprising a bioreactor operable to vitally support one or more microorganisms. The bioreactor includes a bioreactor cavity configured to contain the microorganism(s) and a fluidic support medium, one or more bioreactor walls at least partially enclosing the bioreactor cavity and having at least one bioreactor wall material, one or more bioreactor fittings, one or more gas delivery devices, and one or more flexible tubes. The at least one bioreactor wall material can be flexible, the bioreactor can be be autoclaved one or more times to sterilize the bioreactor, and the bioreactor is can be gathered up by at least one of folding or rolling up the bioreactor. Other embodiments of related systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a method of culturing one or more microalgae. The method can include: inoculating a bioreactor with the one or more microalgae and a fluidic support medium, the bioreactor having one or more bioreactor walls at least partially enclosing a bioreactor cavity, being configured to be at least one of folded up or rolled up, and being sterile when the bioreactor is inoculated with the one or more microalgae, the one or more bioreactor walls comprising at least one bioreactor wall material, and the at least one bioreactor wall material being flexible and at least partially transparent; and vitally supporting the one or more microalgae. Other embodiments of related systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a method. The method can include: conducting a first sterilization of an assembled bioreactor; after conducting the first sterilization of the assembled bioreactor, vitally supporting one or more first microorganisms with the assembled bioreactor; after vitally supporting the one or more first microorganisms with the assembled bioreactor, removing the one or more first microorganisms from the assembled bioreactor; after removing the one or more first microorganisms from the assembled bioreactor, gathering up the assembled bioreactor; after gathering up the assembled bioreactor, conducting a second sterilization of the assembled bioreactor; and after conducting the second sterilization of the assembled bioreactor, vitally supporting one or more second microorganisms with the assembled bioreactor. Other embodiments of related systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of treating contamination, particularly fungal contamination, in cultures of Haematococcus pluvialis with hydrogen peroxide are described herein. The method comprises detecting the contamination and then dosing the culture with a concentration of hydrogen peroxide based on the stage of the cells in the culturing process and at a frequency to increase the likelihood of the cells surviving until the process of accumulating carotenoids, such as astaxanthin, is complete.

Abstract: Methods of treating lysis in cultures of Haematococcus pluvialis with hydrogen peroxide are described herein. The method comprises dosing the culture comprising with a concentration of hydrogen peroxide based on the stage of the cells in the culturing process and at a frequency to increase the likelihood of the cells surviving until the process of accumulating carotenoids, such as astaxanthin, is complete.

Abstract: Methods of treating contamination, particularly fungal contamination, in cultures of Haematococcus pluvialis with hydrogen peroxide and salt are described herein. The method comprises dosing the culture comprising a concentration of salt with a concentration of hydrogen peroxide based on the stage of the cells in the culturing process and at a frequency to increase the likelihood of the cells surviving until the process of accumulating carotenoids, such as astaxanthin, is complete.

Abstract: Methods of treating contamination, particularly bacterial contamination, in an open culture of microalgae with organic carbon are described herein. The methods comprise reducing the pH of a culture for a period of time and then raising the pH of the culture, wherein the culture comprises the presence of a first acid and the culture is contacted with a second acid to reduce the culture pH from a first pH value to a second pH value. The culture is maintained at the second pH value for at least 5 minutes before the culture pH is raised from the second pH value by contact with a base.

Abstract: Methods of producing fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE) using a direct transesterification process are described. The direct transesterification process uses low levels of chemical solvents, acid catalysts, and heating energy to produce the FAEE in a method with increased efficiency in a co-solvent system. The FAEE produced may be used in a variety of products including health, beauty, nutraceutical, and cosmetic products.

Abstract: Methods of treating contamination, particularly fungal contamination, in cultures of Haematococcus pluvialis with salt are described herein. The method comprises dosing the culture comprising with a concentration of salt based on the stage of the cells in the culturing process to increase the likelihood of the cells surviving until the process of accumulating carotenoids, such as astaxanthin, is complete.

Abstract: Methods of improving the yield and quality of plants in the Solanaceae family by administering an effective amount of a mixotrophic Chlorella based liquid composition in low concentration and low frequency applications are disclosed. The administration may comprise soil or foliar applications of the composition.

Abstract: Culture compositions comprising Haematococcus pluvialis and hydrogen peroxide are described herein. The compositions comprise a concentration of hydrogen peroxide based on the stage of the cells in the culturing process to increase the likelihood of the cells surviving until the process of accumulating carotenoids, such as astaxanthin, is complete.

Abstract: Methods of treating lysis in cultures of Haematococcus pluvialis with hydrogen peroxide are described herein. The method comprises detecting lysis in the culture and then dosing the culture with a concentration of hydrogen peroxide based on the stage of the cells in the culturing process and at a frequency to increase the likelihood of the cells surviving until the process of accumulating carotenoids, such as astaxanthin, is complete.

Abstract: The invention describes methods and systems for making particular organic compounds from unsaturated fatty acids derived from biological materials. Particular embodiments describe synthesizing civetone and olefins from a mixture of palmitoleic and oleic unsaturated fatty acid esters. The inventive methods use reaction steps such as metathesis, cyclization, hydrolysis, and/or decarboxylation.