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Mechanical disruption and purification

Q: Our pipeline product DHA, a poly unsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), is produced through fermentation route by a fungus. The problem is the product is intracellular and we attempt to rupture the cell by saponification. During this process, the cell ruptures and the PUFA forms soap, thereby losing the product. We try to do this cost effectively, as the product is not of high value. Can you suggest a suitable technique for rupturing the cells?

A: Cell lysis (mechanical disruption) followed by purification (extraction) for this low value product is likely out of the question. I think you are probably on the right track with the surfactant approach but you might want to branch out and try a few more things like solvents for instance. You need to do some experiments to see what is effective at solubilizing the product from whole cells and getting it into a smaller volume. You can probably make some good guesses based on the chemistry of their product. This is a tough problem though.