US 12,110,487 B2
Systems and methods for bleaching microbial cells
Xuefei Zhao, Ames, IA (US); Zhiyou Wen, Ames, IA (US); Martin Anthony Gross, Ames, IA (US); and Everett Donald Dudley, Jr., Highland Park, IL (US)
Assigned to GW Nutrition Inc., Slater, IA (US)
Filed by Gross-Wen Technologies, Inc., Slater, IA (US)
Filed on Aug. 22, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/892,698.
Application 17/892,698 is a continuation of application No. 17/369,421, filed on Jul. 7, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/048,691, filed on Jul. 7, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0403366 A1, Dec. 22, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. C12N 13/00 (2006.01); A23K 10/12 (2016.01); A23L 3/28 (2006.01); A23L 17/60 (2016.01); C12M 1/00 (2006.01); C12N 1/12 (2006.01)
CPC C12N 13/00 (2013.01) [A23K 10/12 (2016.05); A23L 3/28 (2013.01); A23L 17/60 (2016.08); C12M 23/18 (2013.01); C12N 1/12 (2013.01); A23V 2002/00 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of treating microalgae, the method comprising:
providing a treatment system, the treatment system including;
(a) a first tube configured to retain a portion of microalgae, wherein the first tube is transparent or semi-transparent; and
(b) a non-ionizing artificial light source, wherein the non-ionizing artificial light source is adjacent the first tube such that it directs non-ionizing UV-C light towards the first tube;
mixing the portion of microalgae in a liquid to form a suspension, wherein the liquid is selected from water, a microbial growth medium, or a microbial growth broth, the suspension having a concentration of from 0.01 to 100 grams of dry microalgae per liter of the liquid, and the portion of microalgae having an initial green color, an initial taste, and an initial odor;
delivering the suspension through the first tube; and
exposing the first tube containing the suspension to a first light phase of the non-ionizing UV-C light of the non-ionizing artificial light source to lyse the portion of microalgae to form a portion of treated microalgae, wherein the temperature of the suspension reaches between 40° C. and 60° C. during the step of exposing, wherein the portion of treated microalgae exhibits;
i) a treated light brown or white color;
ii) a treated taste that is reduced compared to the initial taste; and
iii) a treated odor that is reduced compared to the initial odor; and
iv) a lipid content of between 5% and 15%; and
including the treated microalgae as at least a portion of a food product;
wherein the method occurs in an absence of a chemical bleaching agent.