Enzymatic pretreatment to enhance lipid recovery from microbial biomass
Enzymatic pretreatment process that improves lipid recovery from fermentation-derived microbial biomass by weakening cell structure to enhance mechanical disruption and phase separation. The approach targets downstream steps including cell disruption, solid-liquid separation, and solvent-based lipid recovery, with potential reductions in energy and solvent demand and improvements in lipid yield.
Overview
This solution presents an enzymatic pretreatment method aimed at improving lipid recovery from fermentation-derived microbial biomass. By targeting and weakening the biomass structure with specific enzymes, this approach enhances the efficiency of mechanical disruption and promotes cleaner phase separation during lipid extraction. The method addresses key downstream processing challenges such as cell disruption, solid-liquid separation, and solvent-based lipid recovery, offering potential reductions in energy and solvent demands while increasing lipid yield.
Technical specifications
- Targeted enzymes: Utilizes food-grade proteases and polysaccharide-degrading enzymes to weaken biomass structure.
- Process improvements: Enhances biomass processability, reduces disruption severity, and improves phase separation.
- Compatibility: Designed to be evaluated with biomass streams aligned to the intended lipid-extraction workflow, supporting scalable assessment and industrial deployment.
Technology readiness level
The enzymatic pretreatment process is currently at a Technology Readiness Level of 4. Initial validation phases include obtaining and preparing biomass, screening enzyme classes, and integrating the best pretreatment with controlled disruption and solvent-based recovery. Further refinements under industrial conditions are planned to define scale-up recommendations.
About Utah State University
Utah State University is a comprehensive public land‑grant research university (Carnegie R1) serving Utah through a flagship Logan campus and a statewide network. Industry connects through the Innovation Campus research park, where companies co‑locate with faculty and access shared facilities. USU’s Space Dynamics Laboratory, a US Space Force–sponsored University Affiliated Research Center, offers mission‑driven pathways for space and defense collaboration. Statewide Extension offices and field sites enable pilot deployments and real‑world validation across Utah’s diverse settings. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from agencies such as NSF, USDA, NASA, and DoD, with Technology Transfer Services managing IP, licensing, and SBIR/STTR support.
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