Development of a Sustainable, Low-Cost, Oil Process for Heart-Healthy DoD Rations 

Member: Checkerspot

Project dates: 2023 - 2026

This project scaled up production of microalgal oils for use in a wide range of industries and products, from materials to foods. The ability to biomanufacture oils at scale and on demand in a matter of days can play a critical role in U.S. supply chain resiliency.  

Through this project, researchers developed and validated an integrated process for recovery and refining of tailored microalgal oils, demonstrating 70% recovery of oil at pilot scale. This allowed Checkerspot to contribute to the data packages needed for regulatory filings in the United States and Europe, and moves fermentation-derived oil products closer to commercial production by generating the extraction and refining results needed for external manufacturing and adoption.  

Researchers generated practical manufacturing guidance about managing topics like biomass conditioning, moisture, press temperature, processing aid choice, fines generation, filtration, and crude oil quality. This resulted in clear criteria for partner selection, facility fit, and process design that can inform future efforts to commercialize fermentation-derived oils.   

Members can access Checkerspot’s report – Producing High-Quality Tailored Fats and Oils: Practical Lessons – on the Member Portal. The report includes information on material planning, preparing fermentation broth, drying decisions, finding extraction partners, and much more.  

Funding source: U.S. Department of Defense