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Enhanced production of lipids containing polyenoic fatty acid by very high density cultures of eukaryotic microbes in fermentors

  • US 8,206,956 B2
  • Filed: 05/08/2007
  • Issued: 06/26/2012
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2000
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A process for producing lipids containing polyunsaturated fatty acids from microorganisms of the order Thraustochytriales by conducting a fermentation of the microorganisms in a fermentation medium comprising a non-alcohol carbon source and a limiting nutrient source, the process comprising:

  • a) providing the fermentation medium comprising the non-alcohol carbon source and limiting nutrient source;

    b) adding the microorganisms to the fermentation medium;

    c) adding an additional amount of the non-alcohol carbon source and limiting nutrient source to the fermentation medium to increase the biomass density of the fermentation medium when the dissolved oxygen content of the fermentation medium is at least 4% of saturation;

    d) adding an additional amount of the non-alcohol carbon source while limiting the amount of limiting nutrient source added to the fermentation medium and allowing the dissolved oxygen content of the fermentation medium to decrease to less than about 3% of saturation;

    wherein lipid production is induced in the microorganisms; and

    e) recovering at least some of the lipids from the microorganisms;

    wherein the lipids are at least 20% by weight of the dry cell weight of the biomass.

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