| abstract |
Systems and methods for obtaining an extracted lipid fraction from microorganisms are described. The method includes growing the microorganisms in aqueous culture under conditions to provide microorganisms having a high level of lipids. The culture of microorganisms is then dewatered to provide a concentrated culture having an increased amount of solids by weight while still including a substantial amount of water. A controlled disruption of the concentrated culture is then carried out to provide a disrupted culture, which is then separated under aqueous conditions to provide an extracted lipid fraction. |