Production of ultrapure epa and polar lipids from largely heterotrophic culture

Abstract

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) compositions and EPA-rich polar lipids for prophylactic or therapeutic applications are described. Production from certain cultured micro-organisms (like Nitzschia laevis ) promotes synthesis of EPA, including polar lipids including EPA. The EPA-rich polar lipids themselves may be used as polar compounds. EPA can be selectively hydrolyzed from particular positions in isolated polar lipids by lipase activity, then optionally further purified. The process bypasses reliance on diminishing fish stocks and on physico-chemical processes that may not adequately separate desirable n-3 HUFAs from unwanted products like DHA also found in fish oil and cultured organisms.

1 . A micro-organism biomass comprising fatty acids, wherein at least 20% of the total fatty acids is EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), more than 30% of the total fatty acids are fatty acids contained in polar lipids and more than 50% of the EPA is contained in the polar lipids. 
     
     
         2 . The micro-organism biomass of  claim 1 , wherein more than 40% of the total fatty acids are fatty acids contained in polar lipids. 
     
     
         3 . The micro-organism biomass of  claim 1 , wherein more than 50% of the total fatty acids are fatty acids contained in polar lipids. 
     
     
         4 . The micro-organism biomass of  claim 1 , wherein more than 60% of the EPA is contained in the polar lipids.