Patents Assigned to Martek Biosciences
  • Patent number: 7419596
    Abstract: A process for purifying a lipid composition having predominantly neutral lipid components having at least one long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid is disclosed. The process employs contacting the lipid composition with a polar solvent, such as acetone, wherein the solvent is selected such that the contaminants are less soluble in the solvent than in the long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid. The process is typically conducted at cooler temperatures including about 0° C. Upon precipitation of the contaminants from the lipid composition, a separation is conducted to remove the precipitated material from the lipid composition. The long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids can include ARA, DPA, EPA and/or DHA. The process effectively winterizes lipid compositions, thereby reducing the tendency of such compositions to become hazy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Martek Biosciences Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel G. Dueppen, Samuel G. Zeller, Sandra I. Diltz, Robert H. Driver
  • Publication number: 20080199923
    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: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: MARTEK BIOSCIENCES CORPORATION
    Inventor: William R. Barclay
  • Publication number: 20080175953
    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: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: MARTEK BIOSCIENCES CORPORATION
    Inventor: William R. Barclay
  • Publication number: 20080166780
    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: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: MARTEK BIOSCIENCES CORPORATION
    Inventor: William R. Barclay
  • Publication number: 20080145475
    Abstract: Infant formula compositions containing docosapentaenoic acid n-6 (“DPA(n-6)”) and other polyunsaturated fatty acids and methods for their preparation and use are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: MARTEK BIOSCIENCES CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Flatt, Mary Van Elswyk, Linda Arterburn, William Barclay, Samuel Zeller
  • Publication number: 20080148433
    Abstract: Disclosed are the complete polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) polyketide synthase (PKS) systems from Schizochytrium, and biologically active fragments and homologues thereof. More particularly, this invention relates to nucleic acids encoding such PUFA PKS systems, to proteins and domains thereof that comprise such PUFA PKS systems, to genetically modified organisms (plants and microorganisms) comprising such PUFA PKS systems, and to methods of making and using the PUFA PKS systems disclosed herein. This invention also relates to genetically modified plants and microorganisms and methods to efficiently produce lipids enriched in various polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) as well as other bioactive molecules by manipulation of a PUFA polyketide synthase (PKS) system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: MARTEK BIOSCIENCES CORPORATION
    Inventors: James G. Metz, James H. Flatt, Jerry M. Kuner, William R. Barclay
  • Publication number: 20080138851
    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: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: Martek Biosciences Corporation
    Inventors: Kirk Emil Apt, F.C. Thomas Allnutt, David J. Kyle, James Casey Lippmeier
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20080107791
    Abstract: The present invention includes a solid fat composition that includes an oil having saturated fat and a microbial oil having a long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid and an emulsifier. In particular, the solid fat composition can have high levels of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid and low amounts of emulsifiers. In preferred embodiments, the polyunsaturated oil is an unwinterized microbial oil. The invention also relates to methods for making such compositions and food, nutritional, and pharmaceutical products comprising said compositions. The present invention also includes a microbial oil product prepared by extracting an oil-containing fraction comprising at least one LC-PUFA from a microbial biomass, and treating the fraction by a process of vacuum evaporation, wherein the oil product has not been subject to one or more of a solvent winterization step, a caustic refining process, a chill filtration process, or a bleaching process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: Martek Biosciences Corporation
    Inventors: Jaouad Fichtali, Neil Francis Leininger, Jesus Ruben Abril, Naseer Ahmed, S.P. Janaka Namal Senanayake
  • Publication number: 20080095897
    Abstract: Processed meat products and methods of making the same are disclosed. The methods include incorporating a powder-like substance comprising an oil comprising a long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid into a processed meat product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: MARTEK BIOSCIENCES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jesus Abril, Todd Wills
  • Publication number: 20080096964
    Abstract: Coated food products fortified with a polyunsaturated fatty acid, including sweetened food products, and methods for their preparation are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: MARTEK BIOSCIENCES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Srinivasan Subramanian, Brian Connolly, Michelle Crandell, Jesus Abril
  • Patent number: 7351558
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for extracting lipids from microorganisms without using organic solvent as an extraction solvent. In particular, the present invention provides a method for extracting lipids from microorganisms by lysing cells and removing water soluble compound and/or materials by washing the lysed cell mixtures with aqueous washing solutions until a substantially non-emulsified lipid is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Martek Biosciences Corporation
    Inventors: Craig M. Ruecker, Swithin Patrick Adu-peasah, Brian S. Engelhardt, George T. Veeder, III
  • Publication number: 20080057551
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for growing eukaryotic microorganisms which are capable of producing lipids, in particular lipids containing polyenoic fatty acids. The present invention also provides a process for producing eukaryotic microbial lipids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: MARTEK BIOSCIENCES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard Bailey, Don DiMasi, John Hansen, Peter Mirrasoul, Craig Ruecker, George Veeder, Tatsuo Kaneko, William Barclay
  • Publication number: 20080058417
    Abstract: The present invention provides a composition that contains a beverage component, pectin and an oil at least one long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid and a method for making the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: MARTEK BIOSCIENCES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jesus Abril, Thayne Fort
  • Publication number: 20080050791
    Abstract: Disclosed are the complete polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) polyketide synthase (PKS) systems from the bacterial microorganisms Shewanella japonica and Shewanella olleyana, and biologically active fragments and homologues thereof. More particularly, this invention relates to nucleic acids encoding such PUFA PKS systems, to proteins and domains thereof that comprise such PUFA PKS systems, to genetically modified organisms (plants and microorganisms) comprising such PUFA PKS systems, and to methods of making and using the PUFA PKS systems disclosed herein. This invention also relates to genetically modified plants and microorganisms and methods to efficiently produce lipids enriched in various polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) as well as other bioactive molecules by manipulation of a PUFA polyketide synthase (PKS) system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Applicant: MARTEK BIOSCIENCES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Craig Weaver, Ross Zirkle, James Metz
  • Publication number: 20080050790
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) polyketide synthase (PKS) systems, to homologues thereof, to isolated nucleic acid molecules and recombinant nucleic acid molecules encoding biologically active domains of such a PUFA PKS system, to genetically modified organisms comprising PUFA PKS systems, to methods of making and using such systems for the production of bioactive molecules of interest, and to novel methods for identifying new bacterial and non-bacterial microorganisms having such a PUFA PKS system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Applicant: MARTEK BIOSCIENCES CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Metz, Craig Weaver, William Barclay, James Flatt
  • Publication number: 20080044865
    Abstract: Methods for production of highly unsaturated fatty acids by marine microorganisms, including the heterotrophic marine dinoflagellate Crypthecodinium, using low levels of chloride ion are disclosed. Specifically, methods of increasing production of highly unsaturated fatty acids by marine microorganisms while growing in low chloride media by manipulating sodium ion and potassium ion levels. The invention also relates to methods of production of highly unsaturated fatty acids by marine organisms at low pH levels, and includes methods for generation of low pH tolerant strains.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: MARTEK BIOSCIENCES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul Behrens, John Thompson, Kirk Apt, Joseph Pfeifer, James Wynn, James Lippmeier, Jaouad Fichtali, Jon Hansen
  • Publication number: 20080044873
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) polyketide synthase (PKS) systems, to homologues thereof, to isolated nucleic acid molecules and recombinant nucleic acid molecules encoding biologically active domains of such a PUFA PKS system, to genetically modified organisms comprising PUFA PKS systems, to methods of making and using such systems for the production of bioactive molecules of interest, and to novel methods for identifying new bacterial and non-bacterial microorganisms having such a PUFA PKS system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: MARTEK BIOSCIENCES CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Metz, Craig Weaver, William Barclay, James Flatt
  • Publication number: 20080044389
    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: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: MARTEK BIOSCIENCES CORPORATION
    Inventor: William Barclay
  • Publication number: 20080044875
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for extracting lipids from microorganisms without using organic solvent as an extraction solvent. In particular, the present invention provides a method for extracting lipids from microorganisms by lysing cells and removing water soluble compound and/or materials by washing the lysed cell mixtures with aqueous washing solutions until a substantially non-emulsified lipid is obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: MARTEK BIOSCIENCES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Craig Ruecker, Swithin Adu-peasah, Brian Engelhardt, George Veeder