Polyunsaturated fatty acid-containing oil product and uses and production thereof

Abstract

The present invention includes a solid fat composition that includes an oil having saturated fat and a microbial oil having a long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid and an emulsifier. In particular, the solid fat composition can have high levels of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid and low amounts of emulsifiers. In preferred embodiments, the polyunsaturated oil is an unwinterized microbial oil. The invention also relates to methods for making such compositions and food, nutritional, and pharmaceutical products comprising said compositions. The present invention also includes a microbial oil product prepared by extracting an oil-containing fraction comprising at least one LC-PUFA from a microbial biomass, and treating the fraction by a process of vacuum evaporation, wherein the oil product has not been subject to one or more of a solvent winterization step, a caustic refining process, a chill filtration process, or a bleaching process.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for producing a solid fat composition comprising:
 a) mixing an oil comprising saturated fat and a microbial oil comprising at least one LC-PUFA with at least one emulsifier to form a mixture; and   b) solidifying the mixture to form a solid fat composition.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the oil comprises between about 5 wt. % and about 70 wt. % LC-PUFA and between about 20 wt. % and about 60 wt. % saturated fat. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the saturated fat is not added exogenously. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the saturated fat is added exogenously. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the microbial oil is unwinterized. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the oil is not hydrogenated. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the microbial oil is from a microorganism selected from the group consisting of microorganisms of the genus  Thraustochytrium , microorganisms of the genus  Schizochytrium , microorganisms of the genus  Althornia , microorganisms of the genus  Aplanochytrium , microorganisms of the genus  Japonochytrium , microorganisms of the genus  Elina , microorganisms of the genus  Crypthecodinium , and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the microorganism is selected from the group consisting of microorganisms of the genus  Thraustochytrium , microorganisms of the genus  Schizochytrium , microorganisms of the genus  Crypthecodinium , and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the microbial oil comprises an LC-PUFA having a carbon chain length of at least 20. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the LC-PUFA has a carbon chain length of at least 22. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the LC-PUFA has at least three double bonds. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the LC-PUFA has at least four double bonds. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the LC-PUFA comprises docosahexaenoic acid. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the oil comprises at least about 50 weight percent docosahexaenoic acid. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the oil comprises at least about 60 weight percent docosahexaenoic acid. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the LC-PUFA comprises docosapentaenoic acid. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the LC-PUFA comprises arachidonic acid. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the LC-PUFA comprises eicosapentaenoic acid. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the solid fat composition has a homogeneous texture. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the solid fat composition is a shortening. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the emulsifier is selected from the group consisting of a monoglyceride, a diglyceride, a mono/diglyceride combination, a lecithin, a lactylated mono-diglyceride, a polyglycerol ester, a sucrose fatty acid ester, a sodium steroyl lactylate, a calcium steroyl lactylate, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the emulsifier is a mono/diglyceride combination. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the emulsifier is present in an amount of between about 0.01 weight percent and about 2.0 weight percent. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the emulsifier is present in an amount of between about 0.05 weight percent about 0.2 weight percent. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the solid fat composition has a melting temperature of at least about 20° C. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the solid fat composition has a melting temperature of at least about 30° C. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the solid fat composition has a melting temperature of at least about 35° C. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of solidifying the mixture controls formation of crystals in the solid fat composition. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the crystals comprise β-prime crystals. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein at least about 50 wt. % of the fats and/or oils in the solid fat composition are in the β-prime crystal form. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein at least about 80 wt. % of the fats and/or oils in the solid fat composition are in the β-prime crystal form. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the oil is heated. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the oil is heated prior to the mixing step. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the oil is heated to at least about 40° C. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the emulsifier is heated. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the emulsifier is heated prior to the mixing step. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 35  wherein the emulsifier is heated to at least about 40° C. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mixing step comprises agitating the mixture. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the step of agitating forms a continuous mixture. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of solidifying the mixture comprises cooling the mixture. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the step of cooling comprises cooling the mixture to a temperature of about 0° C. to about 3° C. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the step of solidifying further comprises mixing the mixture during the step of cooling. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the mixture is cooled at a rate of between about 1° C./min and about 20° C./min. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of solidifying comprises introducing nitrogen into the mixture. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the step of introducing comprises bubbling nitrogen through the mixture. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising adding at least one additional ingredient to the mixture. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the additional ingredient is a water-soluble liquid. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the water-soluble liquid is water. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the water-soluble liquid is added at an amount between about 1 wt. % and about 10 wt. %. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the additional ingredient is selected from the group consisting of antioxidants, flavors, flavor enhancers, sweeteners, pigments, vitamins, minerals, prebiotic compounds, probiotic compounds, therapeutic ingredients, medicinal ingredients, functional food ingredients, processing ingredients, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the additional ingredient is ascorbic acid or a salt of ascorbic acid. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the ascorbic acid or salt of an ascorbic acid is added in an amount between about 0.5 wt. % and about 5 wt. %. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the additional ingredient is an antioxidant. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the antioxidant is selected from the group consisting of ascorbyl palmitate, tocopherols, citric acid, ascorbic acid, tertiary butyl hydroquinone, rosemary extract, lecithin, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the solid fat composition has an OSI value of at least about 20. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the solid fat composition has an OSI value of at least about 40. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the solid fat composition has an OSI value of at least about 60. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the solid fat composition is selected from the group consisting of a food product, a nutritional product and a pharmaceutical product. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising adding the solid fat composition to a product selected from the group consisting of a food product, a nutritional product and a pharmaceutical product. 
     
     
         60 . A solid fat composition comprising a mixture of an unwinterized microbial oil comprising an LC-PUFA and an emulsifier, wherein the mixture is a solid composition at room temperature. 
     
     
         61 . The solid fat composition of  claim 60 , wherein the oil comprises saturated fat. 
     
     
         62 . The solid fat composition of  claim 60 , wherein the saturated fat is not added exogenously. 
     
     
         63 . The solid fat composition of  claim 60 , wherein the saturated fat is added exogenously. 
     
     
         64 . The solid fat composition of  claim 60 , wherein the oil is not hydrogenated. 
     
     
         65 . The solid fat composition of  claim 60 , wherein the microbial oil is from a microorganism is selected from the group consisting of microorganisms of the genus  Thraustochytrium , microorganisms of the genus  Schizochytrium , microorganisms of the genus  Althornia , microorganisms of the genus  Aplanochytrium , microorganisms of the genus  Japonochytrium , microorganisms of the genus  Elina , microorganisms of the genus  Crypthecodinium , and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         66 . The solid fat composition of  claim 65 , wherein the microorganism is selected from the group consisting of microorganisms of the genus  Thraustochytrium , microorganisms of the genus  Schizochytrium , microorganisms of the genus  Crypthecodinium , and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         67 . The solid fat composition of  claim 60 , wherein the microbial oil comprises an LC-PUFA having a carbon chain length of at least 20. 
     
     
         68 . The solid fat composition of  claim 60 , wherein the LC-PUFA has a carbon chain length of at least 22. 
     
     
         69 . The solid fat composition of  claim 60 , wherein the LC-PUFA has at least three double bonds. 
     
     
         70 . The solid fat composition of  claim 60 , wherein the LC-PUFA has at least four double bonds. 
     
     
         71 . The solid fat composition of  claim 60 , wherein the LC-PUFA comprises docosahexaenoic acid. 
     
     
         72 . The solid fat composition of  claim 60 , wherein the oil comprises at least about 50 weight percent docosahexaenoic acid. 
     
     
         73 . The solid fat composition of  claim 60 , wherein the oil comprises at least about 60 weight percent docosahexaenoic acid. 
     
     
         74 . The solid fat composition of  claim 60 , wherein the LC-PUFA comprises docosapentaenoic acid. 
     
     
         75 . The solid fat composition of  claim 60 , wherein the LC-PUFA comprises arachidonic acid. 
     
     
         76 . The solid fat composition of  claim 60 , wherein the LC-PUFA comprises eicosapentaenoic acid. 
     
     
         77 . The solid fat composition of  claim 60 , wherein the solid fat composition is a shortening. 
     
     
         78 . The solid fat composition of  claim 60 , wherein the emulsifier is selected from the group consisting of a monoglyceride, a diglyceride, a mono/diglyceride combination, a lecithin, a lactylated mono-diglyceride, a polyglycerol ester, a sucrose fatty acid ester, a sodium steroyl lactylate, a calcium steroyl lactylate, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         79 . The solid fat composition of  claim 60 , wherein the emulsifier is a mono/diglyceride combination. 
     
     
         80 . The solid fat composition of  claim 60 , wherein the emulsifier is present in an amount of between about 0.01 weight percent and about 2.0 weight percent. 
     
     
         81 . The solid fat composition of  claim 60 , wherein the emulsifier is present in an amount of between about 0.05 weight percent about 0.2 weight percent. 
     
     
         82 . The solid fat composition of  claim 60 , wherein the composition comprises crystals. 
     
     
         83 . The solid fat composition of  claim 82 , wherein the crystals comprise β-prime crystals. 
     
     
         84 . The solid fat composition of  claim 82 , wherein at least about 50 wt. % of the fats and/or oils in the solid fat composition are in the β-prime crystal form. 
     
     
         85 . The solid fat composition of  claim 82 , wherein at least about 80 wt. % of the fats and/or oils in the solid fat composition are in the β-prime crystal form. 
     
     
         86 . The solid fat composition of  claim 60 , further comprising at least one additional ingredient. 
     
     
         87 . The solid fat composition of  claim 86 , wherein the additional ingredient is a water-soluble liquid. 
     
     
         88 . The solid fat composition of  claim 87 , wherein the water-soluble liquid is water. 
     
     
         89 . The solid fat composition of  claim 87 , wherein the water-soluble liquid is present in an amount between about 1 wt. % and about 10 wt. %. 
     
     
         90 . The solid fat composition of  claim 86 , wherein the additional ingredient is selected from the group consisting of antioxidants, flavors, flavor enhancers, sweeteners, pigments, vitamins, minerals, prebiotic compounds, probiotic compounds, therapeutic ingredients, medicinal ingredients, functional food ingredients, processing ingredients, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         91 . The solid fat composition of  claim 86 , wherein the additional ingredient is ascorbic acid or a salt of ascorbic acid. 
     
     
         92 . The solid fat composition of  claim 91 , wherein the ascorbic acid or salt of an ascorbic acid is present in an amount between about 0.5 wt. % and about 5 wt. %. 
     
     
         93 . The solid fat composition of  claim 86 , wherein the additional ingredient is an antioxidant. 
     
     
         94 . The solid fat composition of  claim 93 , wherein the antioxidant is selected from the group consisting of ascorbyl palmitate, tocopherols, citric acid, ascorbic acid, tertiary butyl hydroquinone, rosemary extract, lecithin, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         95 . The solid fat composition of  claim 60 , wherein the composition has an OSI value of at least about 20. 
     
     
         96 . The solid fat composition of  claim 60 , wherein the composition has an OSI value of at least about 40. 
     
     
         97 . The solid fat composition of  claim 60 , wherein the composition has an OSI value of at least about 60. 
     
     
         98 . A fat composition comprising:
 a) an unwinterized microbial oil comprising between about 5 wt. % and about 70 wt. % LC-PUFA and between about 20 wt. % and about 60 wt. % saturated fat; and   b) between about 0.01 wt. % and about 2.0 wt. % of an emulsifier;   wherein the composition comprises less than about 10 wt. % of water and wherein the composition is a solid composition at room temperature.   
     
     
         99 . A method of preparing an oil product that is used for consumption, comprising:
 a) extracting an oil-containing fraction from a microbial biomass, wherein the oil-containing fraction comprises at least one LC-PUFA and saturated fatty acids at least sufficient to visually affect the oil-containing fraction; and   b) treating the oil-containing fraction by vacuum evaporation to produce an oil product comprising at least one LC-PUFA;   wherein the oil product has not been subject to a winterization step.   
     
     
         100 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the oil product has not been subject to a caustic refining process. 
     
     
         101 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the oil product has not been subject to a chill filtration process. 
     
     
         102 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the oil product has not been subject to a bleaching process. 
     
     
         103 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the oil product has not been subject to a caustic refining process, a chill filtration process, or a bleaching process. 
     
     
         104 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the microbial biomass is from a microorganism selected from the group consisting of microorganisms of the genus  Thraustochytrium , microorganisms of the genus  Schizochytrium , microorganisms of the genus  Althornia , microorganisms of the genus  Aplanochytrium , microorganisms of the genus  Japonochytrium , microorganisms of the genus  Elina , microorganisms of the genus  Crypthecodinium , and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         105 . The method of  claim 104 , wherein the microorganism is selected from the group consisting of microorganisms of the genus  Schizochytrium , microorganisms of the genus  Crypthecodinium , and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         106 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the oil-containing fraction comprises an LC-PUFA having a carbon chain length of at least 20. 
     
     
         107 . The method of  claim 106 , wherein the LC-PUFA has a carbon chain length of at least 22. 
     
     
         108 . The method of  claim 106 , wherein the LC-PUFA has at least three double bonds. 
     
     
         109 . The method of  claim 106 , wherein the LC-PUFA has at least four double bonds. 
     
     
         110 . The method of  claim 106 , wherein the LC-PUFA comprises docosahexaenoic acid. 
     
     
         111 . The method of  claim 106 , wherein the LC-PUFA comprises docosapentaenoic acid. 
     
     
         112 . The method of  claim 106 , wherein the LC-PUFA comprises arachidonic acid. 
     
     
         113 . The method of  claim 106 , wherein the LC-PUFA comprises eicosapentaenoic acid. 
     
     
         114 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the step of treating the oil-containing fraction comprises desolventization. 
     
     
         115 . The method of  claim 114 , wherein the desolventization comprises subjecting the extracted oil-containing fraction to vacuum conditions at high temperature. 
     
     
         116 . The method of  claim 114 , wherein the high temperature is from about 50° C. to about 70° C. 
     
     
         117 . The method of  claim 115 , wherein the desolventization comprises subjecting the extracted oil-containing fraction to a vacuum of greater than a vacuum of about 100 mm Hg. 
     
     
         118 . The method of  claim 115 , wherein the desolventization comprises subjecting the extracted oil-containing fraction to a vacuum of greater than a vacuum of about 70 mm Hg. 
     
     
         119 . The method of  claim 115 , wherein the desolventization comprises subjecting the extracted oil-containing fraction to a vacuum of greater than a vacuum of about 50 mm Hg. 
     
     
         120 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the step of treating the oil-containing fraction comprises deodorization. 
     
     
         121 . The method of  claim 120 , wherein the deodorization comprises subjecting the extracted oil-containing fraction to vacuum conditions at high temperature while sparging the extracted oil-containing fraction with steam. 
     
     
         122 . The method of  claim 121 , wherein the high temperature is from about 190° C. to about 220° C. 
     
     
         123 . The method of  claim 121 , wherein the deodorization comprises subjecting the extracted oil-containing fraction to a vacuum of greater than a vacuum of about 25 mm Hg. 
     
     
         124 . The method of  claim 121 , wherein the deodorization comprises subjecting the extracted oil-containing fraction to a vacuum of greater than a vacuum of about 12 mm Hg. 
     
     
         125 . The method of  claim 121 , wherein the deodorization comprises subjecting the extracted oil-containing fraction to a vacuum of greater than a vacuum of about 6 mm Hg. 
     
     
         126 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the oil product has a free fatty acid content of less than about 0.5 wt. %. 
     
     
         127 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the oil product has a free fatty acid content of less than about 0.3 wt. %. 
     
     
         128 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the oil product has a phosphorous value of less than about 10 ppm. 
     
     
         129 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the oil product has a phosphorous value of less than about 5 ppm. 
     
     
         130 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the oil product has a peroxide value of less than about 2 meq/kg. 
     
     
         131 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the oil product has a peroxide value of less than about 1 meq/kg. 
     
     
         132 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the oil product has an anisidine value of less than about 5. 
     
     
         133 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the oil product has an anisidine value of less than about 3. 
     
     
         134 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the oil product has a soap content of less than about 5 wt. %. 
     
     
         135 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the oil product has a soap content of less than about 2.5 wt. %. 
     
     
         136 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the oil product has an Fe concentration of less than about 1 ppm. 
     
     
         137 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the oil product has an Fe concentration of about 0.5 ppm. 
     
     
         138 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the oil product has a Pb concentration of less than about 1 ppm. 
     
     
         139 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the oil product has a Pb concentration of about 0.2 ppm. 
     
     
         140 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the oil product has an Hg concentration of less than about 0.1 ppm. 
     
     
         141 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the oil product has an Hg concentration of about 0.04 ppm. 
     
     
         142 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the oil product has an Ni concentration of less than about 0.1 ppm. 
     
     
         143 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the oil product has an Ni concentration of about 0.01 ppm. 
     
     
         144 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the oil product has a Cu concentration of less than about 1 ppm. 
     
     
         145 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the oil product has a Cu concentration of about 0.2 ppm. 
     
     
         146 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the oil product has been subjected to the step of bleaching either before or after the step of treating. 
     
     
         147 . The method of  claim 99 , further comprising fractionating the oil into an olein fraction and a stearin fraction. 
     
     
         148 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the oil product is used for human consumption. 
     
     
         149 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the oil product is a solid at 20° C. 
     
     
         150 . An oil product produced by the process of  claim 99 . 
     
     
         151 . A microbial oil product that is used for consumption prepared by extracting an oil-containing fraction from a microbial biomass, wherein the oil-containing fraction comprises at least one LC-PUFA and saturated fatty acids at least sufficient to visually affect the oil-containing fraction, and treating the fraction by a process of vacuum evaporation, wherein the oil product is not subjected to a winterization step. 
     
     
         152 . The microbial oil product of  claim 151 , wherein the oil product has not been subject to a caustic refining process, a chill filtration process, or a bleaching process. 
     
     
         153 . The microbial oil product of  claim 151 , wherein the microbial biomass is from a microorganism selected from the group consisting of microorganisms of the genus  Thraustochytrium , microorganisms of the genus  Schizochytrium , microorganisms of the genus  Althornia , microorganisms of the genus  Aplanochytrium , microorganisms of the genus  Japonochytrium , microorganisms of the genus  Elina , microorganisms of the genus  Crypthecodinium , and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         154 . The microbial oil product of  claim 151 , wherein the microbial biomass is from a microorganism selected from the group consisting of microorganisms of the genus  Schizochytrium , microorganisms of the genus  Crypthecodinium , and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         155 . The microbial oil product of  claim 151 , wherein the oil product has a free fatty acid content of less than about 0.5 wt. %. 
     
     
         156 . The microbial oil product of  claim 151 , wherein the oil product has a free fatty acid content of less than about 0.3 wt. %. 
     
     
         157 . The microbial oil product of  claim 151 , wherein the oil product has a phosphorous value of less than about 10 ppm. 
     
     
         158 . The microbial oil product of  claim 151 , wherein the oil product has a phosphorous value of less than about 5 ppm. 
     
     
         159 . The microbial oil product of  claim 151 , wherein the oil product has a peroxide value of less than about 2 meq/kg. 
     
     
         160 . The microbial oil product of  claim 151 , wherein the oil product has a peroxide value of less than about 1 meq/kg. 
     
     
         161 . The microbial oil product of  claim 151 , wherein the oil product has an anisidine value of less than about 5. 
     
     
         162 . The microbial oil product of  claim 151 , wherein the oil product has an anisidine value of less than about 3. 
     
     
         163 . The microbial oil product of  claim 151 , wherein the oil product has a soap content of less than about 5 wt. %. 
     
     
         164 . The microbial oil product of  claim 151 , wherein the oil product has a soap content of less than about 2.5 wt. %. 
     
     
         165 . The microbial oil product of  claim 151 , wherein the oil product has an Fe concentration of less than about 1 ppm. 
     
     
         166 . The microbial oil product of  claim 151 , wherein the oil product has an Fe concentration of about 0.5 ppm. 
     
     
         167 . The microbial oil product of  claim 151 , wherein the oil product has a Pb concentration of less than about 1 ppm. 
     
     
         168 . The microbial oil product of  claim 151 , wherein the oil product has a Pb concentration of about 0.2 ppm. 
     
     
         169 . The microbial oil product of  claim 151 , wherein the oil product has an Hg concentration of less than about 0.1 ppm. 
     
     
         170 . The microbial oil product of  claim 151 , wherein the oil product has an Hg concentration of about 0.04 ppm. 
     
     
         171 . The microbial oil product of  claim 151 , wherein the oil product has an Ni concentration of less than about 0.1 ppm. 
     
     
         172 . The microbial oil product of  claim 151 , wherein the oil product has an Ni concentration of about 0.01 ppm. 
     
     
         173 . The microbial oil product of  claim 151 , wherein the oil product has a Cu concentration of less than about 1 ppm. 
     
     
         174 . The microbial oil product of  claim 151 , wherein the oil product has a Cu concentration of about 0.2 ppm. 
     
     
         175 . The microbial oil product of  claim 151 , wherein the oil product is a solid at 20° C. 
     
     
         176 . The microbial oil product of  claim 151 , wherein the oil product is used for human consumption. 
     
     
         177 . A nutritional product comprising the microbial oil product of  claim 151 . 
     
     
         178 . A pharmaceutical product comprising the microbial oil product of  claim 151 . 
     
     
         179 . The pharmaceutical product of  claim 178 , wherein the product further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. 
     
     
         180 . The pharmaceutical product of  claim 178 , wherein the product further comprises a pharmaceutically active agent selected from the group consisting of statins, anti-hypertensive agents, anti-diabetic agents, anti-dementia agents, anti-depressants, anti-obesity agents, appetite suppressants and agents to enhance memory and/or cognitive function. 
     
     
         181 . A food product comprising the microbial oil product of  claim 151  and a food or liquid component. 
     
     
         182 . The food product of  claim 182 , wherein the food product is selected from the group consisting of doughs, batters, baked food, liquid food products, semi-solid food products, food bars, processed meats, ice creams, frozen desserts, frozen yogurts, waffle mixes, salad dressings, replacement egg mixes, salted snacks, specialty snacks, dried fruit snacks, meat snacks, pork rinds, health food bars, rice/corn cakes, and confectionary snacks. 
     
     
         183 . A microbial oil product that is used for consumption prepared by a process, comprising:
 a) extracting an oil-containing fraction comprising at least one LC-PUFA from a microbial biomass; and   b) treating the fraction by a process of vacuum evaporation;   wherein the oil product is not subjected to a winterization step, a caustic refining process, a chill filtration process, or a bleaching process; and   wherein the oil product has a characteristic selected from the group consisting of a free fatty acid content of less than about 0.5 wt. %, a phosphorous value of less than about 10 ppm, a peroxide value of less than about 2 meq/kg, an anisidine value of less than about 5, a soap content of less than about 5 wt. %, an Fe concentration of less than about 1 ppm, a Pb concentration of less than about 1 ppm, an Hg concentration of less than about 0.1 ppm, an Ni concentration of less than about 0.1 ppm, and a Cu concentration of less than about 1 ppm.   
     
     
         184 . The microbial oil product of  claim 183 , wherein the oil product is a solid at 20° C. 
     
     
         185 . A food product comprising the microbial oil product of  claim 183  and a food or liquid component. 
     
     
         186 . A nutritional product comprising the microbial oil product of  claim 183 . 
     
     
         187 . A pharmaceutical product comprising the microbial oil product of  claim 183 . 
     
     
         188 . The microbial oil product of  claim 183 , wherein the oil product is used for human consumption. 
     
     
         189 . A method of preparing an oil product that is used for consumption, comprising:
 a) extracting an oil-containing fraction from a microbial biomass, wherein the oil-containing fraction comprises at least one LC-PUFA; and   b) treating the oil-containing fraction by vacuum evaporation to produce an oil product comprising at least one LC-PUFA;   wherein the oil product has not been subject to a caustic refining process.   
     
     
         190 . The method of  claim 189 , wherein the microorganism is a microorganism of the genus  Mortierella.   
     
     
         191 . The method of  claim 189 , wherein the oil-containing fraction comprises arachidonic acid. 
     
     
         192 . The method of  claim 189 , wherein the oil product is a solid at 20° C. 
     
     
         193 . An oil product produced by the method of  claim 189 . 
     
     
         194 . A blended oil product, comprising the oil product of  claim 151  and the oil product of  claim 193 . 
     
     
         195 . The blended oil product of  claim 194 , wherein the microbial biomass from which the oil product of  claim 151  was produced is from a microorganism selected from the group consisting of microorganisms of the genus  Thraustochytrium , microorganisms of the genus  Schizochytrium , microorganisms of the genus  Althornia , microorganisms of the genus  Aplanochytrium , microorganisms of the genus  Japonochytrium , microorganisms of the genus  Elina , microorganisms of the genus  Crypthecodinium , and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         196 . The blended oil product of  claim 194 , wherein the microorganism is selected from the group consisting of microorganisms of the genus  Schizochytrium , microorganisms of the genus  Crypthecodinium , and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         197 . The blended oil product of  claim 194 , wherein the microbial biomass from which the oil product of  claim 193  was produced is from a microorganism of the genus  Mortierella.   
     
     
         198 . The blended oil product of  claim 194 , wherein the product comprises docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid. 
     
     
         199 . A process to produce a liquid LC PUFA-containing oil fraction and an LC PUFA-containing solid fat product, comprising: fractionating a microbial crude oil into an oil product and a solid fat product, wherein the solid fat product has an LC PUFA content of at least about 20% by weight. 
     
     
         200 . The process of  claim 199 , wherein the solid fat product has DHA content of at least about 20% by weight. 
     
     
         201 . The process of  claim 199 , wherein the step of fractionating comprises contacting the microbial crude oil with an adsorbent, and further comprising:
 a) separating the adsorbent and adsorbed materials from the microbial crude oil;   b) recovering the solid fat product from the adsorbent and adsorbed materials.