(12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT)
`
`(19) World Intellectual Property Organization
`International Bureau
`
`( 43) International Publication Date
`29 November 2007 (29.11.2007)
`
`PCT
`
`11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`
`(10) International Publication Number
`WO 2007/136281 A1
`(81) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every
`kind of national protection available): AE, AG, AL, AM,
`AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BH, BR, BW, BY, BZ, CA, CH,
`CN, CO, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DK, DM, DZ, EC, EE, EG, ES,
`Fl, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, GT, HN, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN,
`IS, JP, KE, KG, KM, KN, KP, KR, KZ, LA, LC, LK, LR,
`LS, LT, LU, LY, MA, MD, ME, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX,
`MY, MZ, NA, NG, NI, NO, NZ, OM, PG, PH, PL, PT, RO,
`RS, RU, SC, SD, SE, SG, SK, SL, SM, SV, SY, TJ, TM,
`TN, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, US, UZ, VC, VN, ZA, ZM, ZW.
`
`(84) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every
`kind of regional protection available): ARIPO (BW, GH,
`GM, KE, LS, MW, MZ, NA, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG, ZM,
`ZW), Eurasian (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM),
`European (AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, Fl,
`FR, GB, GR, HU, IE, IS, IT, LT, LU, LV, MC, MT, NL, PL,
`PT, RO, SE, SI, SK, TR), OAPI (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM,
`GA, GN, GQ, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG).
`
`Published:
`with international search report
`before the expiration of the time limit for amending the
`claims and to be republished in the event of receipt of
`amendments
`
`For two-letter codes and other abbreviations, refer to the "Guid(cid:173)
`ance Notes on Codes and Abbreviations" appearing at the begin(cid:173)
`ning of each regular issue of the PCT Gazette.
`
`(51) International Patent Classification:
`
`Not classified
`
`(21) International Application Number:
`PCT/NZ2007 /000122
`
`(22) International Filing Date:
`
`24 May 2007 (24.05.2007)
`
`(25) Filing Language:
`
`(26) Publication Language:
`
`(30) Priority Data:
`547429
`
`English
`
`English
`
`24 May 2006 (24.05.2006) NZ
`
`(71) Applicant (for all designated States except US): INDUS(cid:173)
`TRIAL RESEARCH LIMITED [NZ/NZ]; Gracefield
`Research Centre, 69 Gracefield Road, Lower Hutt (NZ).
`
`(72) Inventors; and
`(75) Inventors/Applicants (for US only): CATCHPOLE,
`Owen John [NZ/NZ]; 14/189 The Terrace, Wellington
`(NZ). GREY, John Bertram [NZ/NZ]; 146 Barnard
`Street, Wadestown, Wellington (NZ). MACKENZIE, An(cid:173)
`drew Douglas [NZ/NZ]; 27 Monowai Road, Johnsonville,
`Wellington (NZ). TALLON, Stephen John [NZ/NZ]; 60
`Glen Road, Stokes Valley, Lower Hutt (NZ).
`
`(74) Agent: BALDWINS; P 0 Box 852, Wellington (NZ).
`
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`----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
`g (54) Title: EXTRACTION OF HIGHLY UNSATURATED LIPIDS WITH LIQUID DIMETHYL ETHER
`M 0 (57) Abstract: A process for obtaining lipids containing highly unsaturated fatty acids from plant or animal material, including
`> contacting the material with liquid dimethyl ether to give a dimethyl ether solution containing lipids and a residue of plant or animal
`
`~ material, separating the solution from the residue of plant or animal material, and recovering lipids from the solution.
`
`

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`wo 2007/136281
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`PCT /NZ2007 /000122
`
`EXTRACTION OF HIGHLY UNSATURATED LIPIDS WITH LIQUID DIMETHYL ETHER
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`This invention relates to separation technology.
`
`In particular, the invention relates to the
`
`5
`
`extraction of materials, such as dried or partially dried plants or seeds (including marine or
`
`terrestrial species), or animal products (including marine or terrestrial species), with liquid
`
`dimethyl ether (DME), and optionally also with near-critical carbon dioxide, to obtain an extract
`
`rich in highly unsaturated lipids, especially highly unsaturated complex lipids, and optionally, a
`
`residue that is useful as a nutraceutical or for extracting water soluble enzymes and/or proteins.
`
`10
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`Highly unsaturated lipids (lipids having 3 or more sites of unsaturation, and 18 or more carbons
`
`in the fatty acid chain) have a variety of metabolic roles within the human body. They are
`
`essential in the development of the brain and eyesight for infants, and may also be beneficial for
`
`15
`
`cardiovascular health, mental health, and immune and inflammatory conditions. The biological
`properties of these lipids are usually dependent on the type of fatty acids that are present, and
`
`those containing highly unsaturated fatty acids are the most bioactive. In general, these highly
`
`unsaturated fatty acids are only found in significant quantities in complex lipids of terrestrial
`
`plants and animals, but may also appear in both neutral and complex lipids of marine animals.
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`20
`
`Phospholipids are a subset of complex lipids. They are essential components of all mammalian
`
`cell membranes, and play an important role in maintaining the fluidity of the cell membrane, and
`
`passage of molecules through the membrane. The highly unsaturated arachidonic acid (C20:4
`
`w-6) is absent from, or present in very low concentrations in, secondary products derived from
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`25
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`animals, such as phospholipids from non-human milk. Arachidonic acid is vital for the
`
`development of infants, and so infant formula made from non-human milk is supplemented with
`
`this fatty acid. There is a need, therefore, to obtain sources of this fatty acid for this purpose.
`
`The complex lipids of many animal tissues, especially organs and glands, are rich in arachidonic
`
`acid, as are eggs.
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`30
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`35
`
`Mosses and ferns are also known to contain high levels of arachidonic acid in complex lipid
`
`form.
`
`It is therefore desirable to find an extraction technology which can recover this highly
`
`unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA) in a complex lipid form, especially since the complex lipid form of
`
`the fatty acid gives protection against oxidation.
`
`Marine organisms (micro and macro algae, fish flesh, eggs and livers, molluscs, invertebrates)
`
`are rich sources of the HUFAs eicosapentaenoic (C20:5. w-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (C20:6
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`wo 2007/136281
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`PCT /NZ2007 /000122
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`2
`
`w-3) in neutral and/or complex lipid form. These fatty acids are also required for infant formula
`supplementation, and for use in controlling neurological disorders, cardiovascular disease,
`inflammation, and lipid content in the blood. It is also desirable to find an extraction technology
`··which can recover these polyunsaturated fatty acids.
`
`5
`
`1 o
`
`Similarly, seeds from certain plants, especially those from pinus and podocarp trees, contain
`complex lipids rich in non-methylene interrupted polyunsaturated fatty acids (C20:3 and C20:4).
`Non-methylene interrupted fatty acids are used for .controlling satiety and as possible anti(cid:173)
`inflammatory agents. There is a need therefore to find an extraction technology which can
`recover these polyunsaturated fatty acids.
`
`The extraction of neutral lipids using supercritical C02 is well known, especially in the extraction
`of seed oils. A disadvantage of these processes in general is that large high pressure vessels
`(typically 300 bar or higher pressure is used) are required to contain the raw material, which
`15 makes the production plant very expensive. High flow rates and long extraction times are also
`required, as the oils have very low solubility in supercritical C02 (typically 1 g of oil per 100 g of
`solvent). There are fewer publications concerning the extraction of lipids from marine species.
`US 6,083,536 describes a process for the extraction of non-polar lipids from crude freeze-dried
`mussel powder to give a non-polar lipid fraction useful for the treatment of inflammatory
`conditions. Fresh mussel is stabilised with tartaric acid prior to freeze-drying and C02
`extraction. No compositional data of the extract is given, and no complex lipids are extracted,
`as they are insoluble in C02.
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`US 4,367,178 describes a process for purifying crude soy lecithin by using supercritical C02 to
`extract neutral lipids and leave behind insoluble phospholipids, thereby concentrating the
`phospholipids in the lecithin.
`The crude lecithin had been produced by conventional
`degumming of soy oil. The use of co-solvents such as ethanol to increase the solvent power of
`supercritical C02 has been proposed to overcome the limitations of C02.
`
`EP 1,004,245 A2 describes a process in which dried egg is first extracted with supercritical C02
`to remove neutral lipids, and is then either extracted with supercritical C02 and an organic co(cid:173)
`solvent (ethanol) that is a liquid at room temperature or the organic solvent (without C02) to
`extract the phospholipids. Both options have the disadvantage of incomplete phospholipid
`extraction. In addition, both leave solvent residues in the defatted egg powder, which results in
`denaturation of protein. The neutral egg lipids obtained by supercritical C02 extraction have
`negligible levels of highly unsaturated fatty acids, as shown in example 3.
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`wo 2007/136281
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`PCT /NZ2007 /000122
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`3
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`Arntfield et a/. (JAOCS, 69, 1992, 823 - 825) show that egg protein is substantially denatured
`after extraction with C02 and methanol as a co-solvent. The use of ethanol with supercritical
`C02 results in incomplete extraction of phospholipids. Phosphatidyl choline is the most readily
`
`extracted phospholipid, but all other phospholipids have very low or no solubility and are not
`
`5
`
`extracted (Teberliker et a/., JAOCS, 78, 2002, 115 - 119). Schriener et a/. (Journal of Food
`
`Lipids, 13, 2006, 36 - 56) show that the majority of highly unsaturated fatty acids in egg yolk
`
`lipids are in phosphatidyl ethanolamine, which is not extracted in this process.
`
`PCT publication WO 02/092540 discloses medicinal uses of polar lipids containing HUFAs, and
`
`1 o
`
`blends of polar lipids with other oils. The extraction method is disclosed as using alcohol and
`
`centrifugation, but no further details are given·.
`
`It is also disclosed that the polar lipid-rich
`
`fraction could be obtained as a by-product of edible seed oil extraction by the industrial process
`
`of degumming.
`
`15
`
`A process for the extraction of phospholipids containing HUFA from wet phospholipid-containing
`
`material is described in PCT publication WO 2005/072477. An aliphatic alcohol, and in
`
`particular, isopropanol and/or n-propanol, is u~ed. The material containing phospholipids is
`
`contacted with a water soluble aliphatic alcohol at a temperature sufficiently high that the
`
`phospholipids dissolve in the solvent, while the proteins, which become denatured, precipitate
`
`20
`
`from solution.
`
`DME has previously been used in the extraction of lipids from raw egg yolk (US 4,157 ,404) and
`
`dried egg powder (US 4,234,619). ·The process causes the fractionation of the lipid and protein
`
`components into separate streams. US 4,157,404 describes the extraction of lipids from raw
`
`25
`
`egg yolk (50-55 % moisture content), but the proteins are den·atured in the process. The
`
`described process also requires that the lipid and water mixture recovered is then dehydrated to
`
`a water content of 20 % or less, which then results in phase separation of neutral-rich and
`
`complex lipid/water-rich phases. US 4,234,619 discloses that proteins are not denatured if the
`
`egg is dry, but the phospholipids can then only be partially extracted.
`
`In the processes
`
`30
`
`described, DME was used in a temperature range of -30°C to 40°C, spray dried whole egg
`
`powder was used and only a maximum 70 % yield of phospholipids was obtained. The desired
`
`product of the invention was an egg powder that contained at least 30 % of its original
`
`phospholipids content, and no cholesterol. A process for the recovery and concentration of
`
`highly unsaturated fatty acids is not disclosed. Further, the separation of neutral lipids and
`
`35
`
`complex lipids in the total lipid extract into separate fractions was not discovered because of the
`
`low extraction and separation temperatures used.
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`4
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`PCT publication WO 2004/0667 44 describes the extraction of lipids from an aqueous dairy
`
`stream using near critical extraction where DME is the solvent. The publication also discloses
`
`that neither supercritical C02 nor liquid DME can extract lipids in useful yields from dry whey
`protein concentrate (WPC) dairy powders. The process does not disclose a method for
`
`5
`
`extracting HUFA polar lipids from dry animal or plant tissue. Whey proteins are not found in
`
`animal or plant tissues, and the lipids obtained do not contain highly unsaturated fatty acids.
`
`NZ 535894 describes the extraction of lipids from spray dried dairy products containing milk fat
`
`globular membrane proteins, which is a dairy lipoprotein/lipid/lactose mixture arising from the
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`10
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`production of skim milk powder. The proteins are associated with the cream fraction of milk,
`
`and are not found in animal or plant tissue. Attempts to extract lipids from this dairy powder
`
`stream with high lactose contents (where high lactose content means at least 30% by mass of
`
`the total powder) by extraction using liquid DME were unsuccessful, and it was necessary to
`
`reduce the lactose content prior to production of the powder. There is no disclosure of a
`
`15 method for extracting HUFA lipids from dry animal or plant tissue, because the lipids contain no
`
`HUFAs. The residual powder after extraction still contains around 6- 8 % complex lipids.
`
`PCT publication WO 2006/058382 broadly describes a process for obtaining an extract from a
`
`range of materials using liquid DME. There is, however, no description of the extraction of
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`20
`
`HUFAs, nor the separation of complex lipids from neutral lipids. The process described is a
`
`simple conventional process which uses liquid DME. Indeed, the sole process described in any
`
`detail is a process that uses liquid DME for obtaining an extract from Jojoba seeds which do not
`
`contain HUFAs.
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`25
`
`It is evident that the type of proteins and other complex carbohydrates present in products
`
`derived from animal and plant materials (and the method by which the material is dried)
`
`determines whether or not lipids can be successfully extracted. The proteins and complex
`
`carbohydrates that are present in plant or animal tissues differ substantially from those found in
`
`secondary products derived from animals, such as milk. It is therefore generally not possible to
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`30
`
`predict with any certainty whether extraction of lipids, and especially complex lipids containing
`
`highly unsaturated fatty acids, is possible from plant or animal tissue containing proteins and
`
`carbohydrates associated with cells and tissue using dimethyl ether.
`
`Surprisingly, the applicant has discovered that liquid DME can be used as an efficient
`
`35
`
`extractant for obtaining HUFAs from plant or animal material, and in particular that residual DME
`
`in a lipid extract consisting of neutral and complex lipids enables formation of a gum-like phase
`
`containing complex lipids which is then easily separated from the neutral lipids.
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`5
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`It is an object of the invention to provide a process for obtaining lipids containing highly
`
`unsaturated fatty acids, or at least to provide a useful alternative to other processes.
`
`5
`
`STATEMENTS OF INVENTION
`
`In a first aspect the invention provides a process for obtaining lipids containing highly
`
`unsaturated fatty acids from plant or animal material, including the steps:
`
`(i)
`
`contacting the material with liquid dimethyl ether to give a dimethyl ether solution
`
`containing lipids and a residue of plant or animal material;
`
`separating the solution from the residue of plant or animal material; and
`
`recovering lipids from the solution.
`
`(ii)
`
`(iii)
`
`In certain preferred embodiments of the invention, the solution formed after contact with the
`
`material in step (i) contains ·neutral lipids and complex lipids.
`
`Preferably the neutral lipids are recovered from the solution together with the complex lipids.
`
`The neutral lipids are then preferably separated from the complex lipids.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`The complex lipids may form a gum phase with dissolved dimethyl ether during the recovery·
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`20
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`step (iii). Preferably the gum phase containing complex lipids is separated from the solution
`
`containing neutral lipids.
`
`Preferably the neutral lipids are separated from the complex lipids by phase separation.
`
`Centrifugation may also be used to aid separation. Heating may be used prior to centrifugation.
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`25
`
`The complex lipids are then preferably dried by vacuum drying.
`
`The process of the invention also preferably includes treating the lipids recovered from the
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`30
`
`solution in step (iii) with supercritical C02 according to the following steps:
`contacting the lipids recovered from the solution in step (iii) with supercritical C02 to
`(iv)
`give a C02 solution containing neutral lipids and a residue of complex lipids;
`separating the C02 solution containing neutral lipids from the residue of complex
`lipids; and
`recovering the neutral lipids from the C02 solution.
`
`(vi)
`
`(v)
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`35
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`In certain embodiments of the invention, the plant or animal material to be contacted with liquid
`
`dimethyl ether in step (i) is first treated with near-critical C02 according to the following steps:
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`6
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`a. contacting the material with near-critical C02 to give a C02 solution containing
`neutral lipids and a residue of plant or animal material;
`b. separating the C02 solution from the residue of plant or animal material; and·
`c.
`recovering the neutral lipids from the C02 solution.
`
`5
`
`10
`
`In a preferred process of the invention, the plant or animal material is dried or partially dried
`
`before use. Preferably the plant or animal material is dried to less than 30 % by weight of water
`
`in the mC!terial, more preferably to not less than 5% by weight of water in the material.
`
`Preferably the plant or animal material is dried by freeze drying or by spray drying.
`
`In certain embodiments of the invention, the plant or animal material is wet biomass that has
`been frozen. Typically, the frozen wet biomass is ground prior to extraction.
`
`Preferably one or more of the complex lipids are phospholipids, gangliosides, glycolipids,
`
`15
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`cerebrosides, or sphingolipids, typically phospholipids. The phospholipids may include any one
`
`or more of phosphatidyl choline, phosphatidyl serine, phosphatidyl ethanolamine,
`
`phosphonolipids,
`alkylacylphospholipids,
`plasmalogens,
`cardiolipin,
`sphingomyelin,
`lysophospholipids, ceramide aminoethylphosphonate and phosphatidic acid. The glycolipids
`
`may include galactolipids, gangliosides, sulphoquinovoysldiacylglycerides,
`
`tauroglycolipds,
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`20
`
`glycosphingophospholipids, and mannosyl lipids.
`
`Preferably the highly unsaturated fatty acids contained in the complex lipids include, but are not
`
`limited to, any one or more of arachidonic acid (AA), alpha- and gamma-linolenic acid, pinolenic
`acid, sciadonic acid, columbinic acid, dihomolinolenic acid, eicosatetraenoic acid, juniperonic
`
`25
`
`acid, stearidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), and
`
`docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
`
`It is also preferred that the plant or animal material is obtained from any one of the group
`
`consisting of animal organs, animal glands, marine macro- and micro-algae, lipid-bearing micro-
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`30
`
`organisms cultured by fermentation, especially filamentous fungi, algae, yeast and bacteria;
`
`shellfish, fish, marine invertebrates, eggs, plant seeds, plant leaves, plant needles, fern fronds,
`
`moss and lichen.
`
`In preferred embodiments of the invention, the liquid dimethyl ether is near-critical dimethyl
`
`35
`
`ether.
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`7
`
`In another aspect the invention provides lipids containing highly unsaturated fatty acids obtained
`by the process of the invention.
`
`In a further aspect the invention provides complex lipids obtained by the process of the
`invention.
`
`5
`
`In another aspect the invention provides neutral lipids obtained by the process of the invention.
`
`In yet another aspect the invention provides plant or animal material from which lipids containing
`highly unsaturated fatty acids have been extracted by the process of the invention.
`
`10
`
`The invention also provides the use of the plant or animal material, from which complex lipids
`containing highly unsaturated fatty acids have been extracted by the process of the invention,
`as a nutraceutical, a food supplement, or as a source of enzymes.
`
`15
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`20
`
`Definitions
`Fatty acid means any saturated or unsaturated aliphatic carboxylic acid typically having a
`hydrocarbon chain of 6 or more carbon atoms. Fatty acids are classified according to the
`number of carbon atoms (e.g. C20}, number of sites of unsaturation (e.g. C20:4), the position of
`the first site of unsaturation from the methyl end of the fatty acid (e.g. C20:4 w-3), and how
`many carbons separate the sites of unsaturation. Normally one carbon separates the sites of
`unsaturation, (known as "methylene interrupted"), and is signified in the shortened nomenclature
`only when it is conjugated (no carbons separating the sites of unsaturation), or it is separated by
`25 more than one carbon (known as "non-methylene interrupted") and the positions of the carbons
`from the methyl end of the fatty acid are noted (e.g. 5,11,14 C20:3). Fatty acids are
`constituents of both neutral and complex lipids. In neutral lipids, only fatty acids are bound to
`glycerol via an ester or ether bond. Fatty acids can also be present in an unbound state, and
`are then referred to as "free fatty acids".
`In complex lipids, fatty acids and other (polar)
`constituents are attached to glycerol.
`
`30
`
`Polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) means a fatty acid having 2 or more sites of unsaturation.
`
`Highly unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA) means a fatty acid having 3 or more sites of
`
`35
`
`unsaturation, and 18 or more carbon atoms in the fatty acid chain. Examples include
`arachidonic acid (AA), alpha- (ALA) and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), pinolenic acid, sciadonic
`acid, columbinic acid, dihomolinolenic acid, dihomopinolenic acid, juniperonic acid, stearidonic
`
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`8
`
`acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), and docosahexaenoic acid
`
`(DHA).
`
`Complex lipids are lipids consisting of at least three building blocks, including fatty acids (and
`closely related ether, amine and hydrocarbon derivatives); a polar phosphorous group (usually a
`
`5
`
`phosphate ester or acid), and/or amino alcohols, and/or carbohydrates; and glycerol. Complex
`
`lipids include, but are not limited to, phospholipids, gangliosides, glycolipids, cerebrosides, and
`
`sphingolipids. Examples of phospholipids include phosphatidyl choline (PC), phosphatidyl
`
`serine (PS), phosphatidyl ethanolamine (PE), phosphatidyl inositol (PI), sphingomyelin (SM),
`
`10
`
`cardiolipin (CL), plasmalogens, lysophospholipids, and phosphatidic acid.
`
`Neutral lipids are lipids consisting of one or two building blocks, neither of which contain polar
`phosphorous groups or carbohydrates. The building blocks include fatty acids, glycerol, sterols,
`
`fatty alcohols, amines, carotenoids and naturally occurring hydrocarbons. Neutral lipids include,
`but are not
`limited
`to,
`fatty acids, mono-, di- and
`triacylglycerides, ceramides, N(cid:173)
`
`15
`
`acylethanolamines, sterols and sterol esters, carotenoids and carotenoid esters.
`
`DME-hydrated complex lipid means a complex lipid that has formed a weak association with
`DME, analogous to a lipid hydrated with water molecules.
`
`20
`
`Critical point means the point at which the liquid and vapour state of a substance become
`
`identical.
`
`Supercritical means the pressure-temperature region above the critical point of a substance.
`. Above, but close to, the critical point of a substance, the substance is in a fluid state that has
`
`25
`
`properties of both liquids and gases. The fluid has a density similar to a liquid, and viscosity
`and diffusivity similar to a gas.
`
`Subcritical means the pressure-temperature region equal to or above the vapour pressure for a
`substance, but below the critical temperature. The terms "liquefied gas" and "compressed
`
`30
`
`liquefied gas" can be used to describe the same region, in which the vapour pressure of the gas
`
`is at least 3 bar at the extraction temperature.
`
`Near-critical means the pressure-temperature region close to the critical point of a substance,
`
`35
`
`and thus includes both subcritical and supercritical. Near-critical includes the reduced
`
`temperature range 0. 70 :::; Tr :::; 1.25 (where Tr is the temperature divided by the critical
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`wo 2007/136281
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`9
`
`temperature, Tc of the DME); and the pressure ranges P > Pv (where Pv is the vapour pressure)
`
`for T < T c and P > P c (where P c is the critical pressure) for T ;::: T c·
`
`Nutraceutical means a product isolated or purified from foods, and generally sold in medicinal
`
`forms not usually associated with food and demonstrated to have a physiological benefit or
`
`5
`
`provide protection against chronic disease.
`
`The Invention
`
`The invention provides a process for obtaining lipids containing highly unsaturated fatty acids
`
`from plant or animal material, including the steps:
`
`I o
`
`(i)
`
`contacting the material with liquid dimethyl ether to give a dimethyl ether solution
`
`containing lipids and a residue of plant or animal material;
`
`separating the solution from the residue of plant or animal material; and
`
`recovering lipids from the solution.
`
`(ii)
`
`(iii)
`
`15
`
`The plant or animal material may be any animal tissue or plant tissue that contains lipids having
`
`HUFAs.
`
`In particular, the process is directed to animal organs and glands, marine macro and
`
`microalgae, lipid-bearing micro-organisms cultured by fermentation, especially filamentous
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`fungi, algae, yeast and bacteria; small marine animals (shellfish and invertebrates), eggs, and
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`seeds of plants. The plant or animal tissue may include parts or the whole material of a plant or
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`animal that includes cellular material, protein, lipid and carbohydrate, but does not include
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`secondary products derived from plant or animals such as milk.
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`DME is a gas at normal room temperatures and pressures, but in liquid form is known to be an
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`effective solvent for the extraction of substances from natural products. The liquid DME used in
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`the process of the invention is typically near-critical DME. Preferably, the pressure of the liquid
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`DME is at least equal to the vapour pressure at the temperature of the extraction, and more
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`preferably is at least 10 bar greater than the vapour pressure. The temperature is preferably in
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`the range 273 - 373 K, and more preferably in the range 313 - 353 K. Higher extraction
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`temperatures give higher yields of complex lipids that are enriched in highly unsaturated fatty
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`acids. A typical extraction temperature is approximately 333 K. A typical extraction pressure at
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`this temperature is 40 bar, which is sufficiently above the vapour pressure of DME to ensure
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`maximum extraction of water if the biomass is wet.
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`The lipids obtained by the process are generally a mixture of complex lipids having a range of
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`associated HUFAs. The composition of the mixture will be largely dependent on the source of
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`If the plant or animal material also contains neutral lipids,
`the plant or animal material used.
`then the neutral lipids will also be extracted in the process.
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`The applicant has discovered that residual DME in a lipid extract consisting of neutral and
`complex lipids gives rise to the formation of a gum-like phase containing complex lipids and a
`liquid phase containing neutral lipids, providing that the neutral lipids do not contain high
`concentrations (more than 5 % by mass) of free fatty acids and/or partial glycerides. The gum
`phase is a semi-solid liquid of higher density than the liquid phase containing neutral lipids. It is
`postulated that DME can form a weak association with complex lipids (especially phospholipids)
`similar to that formed between water and phospholipids. The so-called DME-hydrated complex
`lipids in the gum-like phase can easily be separated from the neutral lipids.
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`The use of heat during the recovery of the extract, the ratio of neutral to complex lipids in the
`lipid mixture, and the composition of the neutral lipids are important factors for promoting the
`formation of DME-hydrated complex lipids. If the total lipid mixture contains around 50- 90%
`neutral lipids without high levels of free fatty acids and/or partial glycerides, and the lipid mixture
`is liquid at room temperature, the process of recovery of the extract, and subsequent degassing
`of DME from the extract by pressure loss and/or heating can give rise to the formation of the
`complex. Separation of the gum-like and liquid phases is accelerated by the use of heating
`and/or centrifuging. The DME-hydrated complex lipid phase thus obtained still contains some
`neutral lipids, but the neutral lipid phase is free from complex lipids. This discovery is
`particularly applicable to egg lipids, and fish head lipids.
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`Liquid DME can be used to extract both the neutral and complex lipids from both wet or dry
`biomass, giving a mixed extract after separation from the DME. When the biomass is wet,
`water will also be extracted, and is separated from the lipid by conventional means, such as
`evaporation under vacuum, membrane separation, or phase separation especially by
`centrifuging. There is then the option of further extraction of the mixed extract using near-critical
`carbon dioxide to separate and recover the neutral lipids to give an extract further enriched in
`complex lipids that contain HUFAs. The complex lipids are not hydrated and do not require
`further processing to remove water or DME.
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`The plant or animal material may be extracted with near-critical carbon dioxide to remove
`neutral lipids before the extraction with liquid DME. This order of processing steps also enables
`an extract enriched in complex lipids to be obtained.
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`Preferably the near-critical carbon dioxide pressure is at least 73.2 bar and the temperature is in
`the range 304.2 to 373 K (supercritical region); or the carbon dioxide pressure is greater than or
`equal to the vapour pressure, and the temperature is in the range 273 to 304.1 K (subcritical
`region). More preferably, the carbon dioxide pressure is at least 250 bar, and the temperature
`in the range 313 to 353 K.
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`A key element of certain embodiments of the invention is the drying or partial drying of the plant
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`or animal material prior to extraction with liquid DME. Plant and animal materials typically have
`a water content of 60-80% by weight of the total material. Removal of at least some of that
`water prior to extraction has the practical advantage that for a fixed volume of the material, the
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`yields of lipid are larger because the amount of water has been reduced. There is therefore
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`either a reduced need for large volume processing apparatus, or a greater throughput and lipid
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`yield for a fixed volume processing plant. However, the process is also applicable to wet
`biomass, which can be advantageous in avoiding drying costs, and deactivating enzymes that
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`can degrade lipids or result in their encapsulation within the dry biomass matrix that prevents
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`their extraction.
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`The applicant has also importantly found that it is advantageous to dry the plant or animal
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`material but not remove the water altogether. When the water content of the material to be
`extracted is reduced to below a level of 30 % by weight of the total material, then the process of
`the invention can be performed without significant degradation or denaturation of enzymes and
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`other proteins present in the material. The residue of plant or animal material following
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`extraction may therefore be particularly useful in various applications such as nutritional
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`supplements that are enriched in proteins and reduced in fat, for example body building
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`products such as defatted bovine liver; as a source of enzymes