Fractionation of complex matrices such as biomass into diverse functional biomolecules without disrupting the biomolecule functionalities is a real challenge. Known separation processes are designed for the recovery of single products such as hydrophilic proteins or hydrophobic pigments, discarding the other products as waste. Here we present a concept for one-step biorefinery of hydrophobic and hydrophilic biomolecules from complex matrices using an ionic liquid-based surfactant free emulsion stabilised by microgel particles, while maintaining the product integrity. We demonstrate the process by simultaneous extraction of pigments and proteins from a microalgae extract; the hydrophobic pigments are transferred to the ionic liquid droplets and the proteins to the aqueous continuous phase. In contrast to most solvent extraction procedures, with this concept, the proteins retain their nativity, opening up an extraction pathway to fully functioning proteins while harvesting hydrophobes. A perspective towards continuous operation of this novel process is presented.

中文翻译：

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微藻提取物功能性生物分子的一步式温和生物精制

在不破坏生物分子功能的情况下将复杂的基质（例如生物质）分馏成各种功能性生物分子是一个真正的挑战。已知的分离方法被设计用于回收单种产品，例如亲水性蛋白质或疏水性颜料，而将其他产品作为废物丢弃。在这里，我们介绍了一种通过使用微凝胶颗粒稳定的离子液体基无表面活性剂乳液，从复杂基质中一步一步精制疏水性和亲水性生物分子的概念，同时保持了产品的完整性。我们通过从微藻提取物中同时提取色素和蛋白质来演示该过程；疏水性颜料转移到离子液滴中，蛋白质转移到水连续相中。与大多数溶剂萃取程序相比，有了这个概念，蛋白质就可以保留自己的诞生性，从而在收获疏水蛋白的同时为全功能蛋白质开辟了一条提取途径。提出了对该新颖过程的连续操作的观点。