Eicosapentaenoic acid-producing microorganisms, fatty acid compositions, and methods of making and uses thereof

Abstract

The present invention is directed to isolated microorganisms as well as strains and mutants thereof, biomasses, microbial oils, compositions, and cultures; methods of producing the microbial oils, biomasses, and mutants; and methods of using the isolated microorganisms, biomasses, and microbial oils.

1 - 66 . (canceled) 
     
     
         67 . A biomass of a microorganism having fatty acids and a concentration of EPA, wherein said biomass is produced by a method comprising:
 (a) fermenting the microorganism in a fermentor vessel to produce a fermentation broth and a biomass wherein the microorganism comprises a Thraustochytrid that produces a biomass having at least 3% EPA of the total weight of the fatty acids; and   (b) attaining a desired EPA level in the biomass by (i) adjusting the temperature in the broth and (ii) optionally adjusting the pressure on the biomass.   
     
     
         68 . The biomass as recited in  claim 67 , wherein the EPA in the Thraustochytrid is increased to greater than about 4%, by weight, of the total weight of the fatty acids. 
     
     
         69 . The biomass as recited in  claim 67 , wherein the concentration of EPA is increased from greater than about 4% up to about 45%, by weight, of the total weight of the fatty acids. 
     
     
         70 . The biomass as recited in  claim 67 , wherein the concentration of the EPA is increased from about 4%, by weight of the total weight of the fatty acids to a range of about 6% to about 30%, by weight of the total weight of the fatty acids. 
     
     
         71 . The biomass as recited in  claim 67 , wherein the concentration of the EPA is increased to greater than 20%, by weight, of the total weight of the fatty acids. 
     
     
         72 . The biomass as recited in  claim 68  wherein the temperature is adjusted to less than about 30° C. 
     
     
         73 . An oil extracted from the biomass as recited in  claim 72 , wherein said oil is a crude oil extracted from the biomass without further processing. 
     
     
         74 . A feed product that contains an oil of  claim 73 . 
     
     
         75 . The feed product of  claim 74 , wherein said feed product is a feed or feed supplement. 
     
     
         76 . The feed of  claim 75 , wherein said feed is an animal feed.