US 12,216,071 B2
Quantitative characterization of algal biomass biomolecules
Hao Wang, Clinton, NJ (US); Chengrong Wang, Easton, PA (US); Amy C Clingenpeel, Washington, NJ (US); and Kuangnan Qian, Skillman, NJ (US)
Assigned to ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company, Annandale, NJ (US)
Filed by ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company, Annandale, NJ (US)
Filed on Jan. 6, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/142,601.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/978,440, filed on Feb. 19, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0255125 A1, Aug. 19, 2021
Int. Cl. G01N 24/08 (2006.01); A01G 33/00 (2006.01); C11B 1/10 (2006.01); C12Q 1/02 (2006.01); C12Q 1/06 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 24/087 (2013.01) [A01G 33/00 (2013.01); C11B 1/10 (2013.01); C12Q 1/02 (2013.01); C12Q 1/06 (2013.01); G01N 24/08 (2013.01); G01N 2333/405 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
 
1. A method comprising:
harvesting algal biomass from a cultivated algae water slurry;
extracting lipids from a portion of the algal biomass using solvent-lipid extraction, wherein the solvent-lipid extraction produces a lipids-containing fraction and a lipids-free fraction, the lipids-free fraction comprising protein and carbohydrates;
quantifying a first biomolecular concentration of a first carbon-containing compound in the lipids-free fraction using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy;
quantifying a second biomolecular concentration of a second carbon-containing compound in the algal biomass using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy;
determining a total amount of a lipid, protein, and carbohydrate in the algal biomass by comparing, at least, the first biomolecular concentration with the second biomolecular concentration; and
tailoring, based on the total amount of lipid, protein, and carbohydrate in the algal biomass of the cultivated algae water slurry, the total amount of lipid, protein, and carbohydrate of a subsequently cultivated algae water slurry by adjusting a predetermined cultivation time of the subsequently cultivated algae water slurry.