ISOLATION OF CAROTINOID CRYSTALS FROM BACTERIAL BIOMASS Russian patent published in 2004 - IPC

FIELD: microbiology, biotechnology.

SUBSTANCE: method for isolating crystalline carotinoid compound from bacterial biomass involves disruption of bacterial cellular walls in carotinoid-containing biomass, separation of cellular debris in bacterial carotinoid-containing biomass from carotinoid-containing residue, washing out carotinoid-containing residue with a solvent that provides removing lipid, suspending the obtained carotinoid-containing residue in water with aim for flotation of carotinoid compound, isolation of crystalline carotinoid compound and, optionally, the further purification of crystalline carotinoid compound. Flotation of crystalline carotinoid compound can be improved by passing gas bubbles through the suspension. Water used in flotation of crystalline carotinoid compound can contain salt or oil. Method is useful both for wet cellular residue and for dry biomass wherein carotinoid compound is in crystalline form. Method allows isolating carotinoid compound from bacterial mass directly being without dissolving stage in solvent and the following crystallization. This allows avoiding loss of carotinoid compound and allows avoiding using a solvent in large amount.

EFFECT: improved isolating method.

16 cl, 3 ex