Exploration of biogenic Substances
Open Question
Microalgae contain bioactive substances of which the lipophilic Tocoperoles and Carotinoides are of commercial interest. To extract and enrich these from the bulk material expensive and time consuming methods are usually applied which are mostly not economically viable.
Approach of Research
A method which overcomes these restrictions is the micellar extraction patented by SSC. The principle of this method relies on that surfactants form micelles in water in which the lipophilic target substances accumulate. At a given temperature, the so called cloud point temperature (cpt), the micelles separate from the water and form an own phase.
Aim of Research
The method of micellar extraction was developed by the SSC GmbH in cooperation with the TU Hamburg Harburg to a marketable state. To apply this method for the production of raw materials for cosmetics the actual research work focusses on the identification and testing of surfactants of legal approval for natural cosmetics.
Read more
Method oft extracting hydrophobic compounds. Europäische Patentanmeldung. EP17164705.0
Racheva, R, Tietgens, T., Kerner, M. & Smirnova I. 2018. In situ continuous countercurrent cloud point extraction of microalgae cultures. Separation and Purification. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2017.08.066
Racheva, R., Rahlf A., Wenzel D., Müller C., Kerner M, and Smirnova I. 2018. Aqueous food-grade and cosmetic-grade surfactant systems for the continuous countercurrent cloud point extraction. SEPPUR 202: 76-85.
Glembin, P, Racheva, R., M. Kerner and I. Smirnova. 2014. Micelle mediated extraction of fatty acids from microalgae cultures: Implementation for outdoor cultivation. Separation and Purification Technology 135: 127–134
Glembin, P, Racheva, R., M. Kerner and I. Smirnova. 2014. Micelle mediated extraction of fatty acids from microalgae cultures: Implementation for outdoor cultivation. Separation and Purification Technology 135: 127–134
Glembin, M. Kerner, and I. Smirnova, Cloud point extraction of microalgae cultures. 2013. Separation and Purification Technology 103: 21-27
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