OPTIMIZATION OF CONDITIONS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF EICOSAPENTAENOIC ACID BY MORTIERELLA

This research characterized the optimum growth conditions of Mortierella for accumulation of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Eight strains of Mortierella, NRRL 5513, 2761, 1757, 6337, 2493 and ATCC 24786, 16271, 16266, were evaluated for their ability to produce EPA. Temperature, temperature shifting, media, and media supplementation (carbon/nitrogen sources, growth factors and antibiotic supplementation) were studied to determine their effect on mycelial mass and EPA accumulation. M. elongata ATCC 16271 was the most effective strain for EPA production when grown at 18C, in yeast malt broth, pH 5. 1, and harvested after 7 days, yielding 66 mg EPA/g dry mycelial cells. In another experiment, temperature shifting (2 days at 24C, to 5 days at 12C) increased the yield of EPA about eight times to 32 mg EPA/g dry mycelial celis from 4 mg EPA/g dry mycelial cells for nontemperature shifted cultures. This research describes methodologies that resulted in EPA content higher than any previously reported.