Crypthecodinium cohnii biomass cultured to synthesize docosahexaenoic acid

Abstract

C. cohnii is cultured in a suitable growth medium with acetic acid/acetate as the main carbon source. The acetate is provided, and replenished, by adding acetic acid to the growth medium in response to an increase in pH resulting from the utilisation of acetic acid/acetate by C. cohnii . The C. cohnii produces relatively high levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). A stationary phase is not essential for satisfactory DHA production.

1 - 39 . (canceled)  
   
   
       40 . A  Crypthecodinium cohnii  biomass cultured in an aqueous nutrient medium containing a compound selected from the group consisting of acetic acid and acetate ions, the  Crypthecodinium cohnii  biomass consuming the acetic acid or acetate ions as the primary carbon source to synthesize docosahexaenoic acid, wherein the nutrient medium has an initial concentration of acetic acid or acetate ions of between 4 and 16 g/l.  
   
   
       41 . The  Crypthecodinium cohnii  biomass according to  claim 40 , wherein the initial concentration of acetic acid or acetate ions in the nutrient medium is about 8 g/l.  
   
   
       42 . The  Crypthecodinium cohnii  biomass according to  claim 40 , wherein the culturing process parameters are controlled in a manner that results in the absence of a stationary phase.  
   
   
       43 . The  Crypthecodinium cohnii  biomass according to  claim 40 , wherein the total concentration of docosahexaenoic acid synthesized by the microorganism is at least 0.9 g/l of cultured medium.  
   
   
       44 . The  Crypthecodinium cohnii  biomass according to  claim 40 , wherein at least 29.3 percent docosahexaenoic acid is recovered from an oil produced by the  Crypthecodinium cohnii  biomass.