| abstract |
This invention describes a process for producing single cell edible oils containing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) from heterotrophic diatoms. The diatoms are cultivated in a fermentor in a nutrient solution containing nitrogen and silicate. Depletion of the nitrogen followed by depletion of the silicate induces the diatoms to synthesize large quantities of edible oil containing EPA which subsequently is recovered. The edible oil, and uses for it, also form parts of this invention as do mutant diatoms capable of producing large quantities of EPA. |