US Patent:
20100297292, Nov 25, 2010
Inventors:
Geoffrey Brooks - Reno NV, US
Scott Franklin - San Diego CA, US
Jeff Avila - Millbrae CA, US
Stephen M. Decker - San Francisco CA, US
Enrique Baliu - San Bruno CA, US
Walter Rakitsky - San Diego CA, US
John Piechocki - Redwood City CA, US
Dana Zdanis - San Diego CA, US
Leslie M. Norris - San Rafael CA, US
Assignee:
Solazyme, Inc. - South San Francisco CA
International Classification:
A23L 1/10
A23L 1/32
A23L 1/28
C12Q 1/04
US Classification:
426 18, 426 32, 426 61, 435 34
Abstract:
The invention provides unique and novel strains of microalgae that have been subjected to non-transgenic methods of mutation sufficient to reduce the coloration of biomass produced by the strains. Biomass produced from such strains can be used in the manufacture of baked goods, gluten free foods, beverages, high lipid algal flours, and other foods. Pigments such as carotenoids and chlorophyll can be undesirable for consumer acceptance when incorporated into foods such as mayonnaise, yogurt, and white sauces that are not traditionally associated with colors such as yellow, red, orange and green. Some pigments, such as chlorophyll, can also create undesirable taste profiles. Use of reduced pigment microalgal biomass expands the range of food products that can be manufactured with healthy lipid profiles. High protein containing biomass of the invention, also reduced in pigmentation, is also incorporated into products such as meat analogues, nutritional bars and meal replacement beverages. The reduced pigmentation microalgae also allow for incorporation of higher amounts of biomass into certain food products that could otherwise be achieved using highly pigmented microalgal biomass. Methods of generating novel reduced pigment microalgae are disclosed herein. The strains provided by the invention are also useful in the manufacture of healthy, neutral colored extracted triglyceride oils.
