Abstract: The invention relates to an optimized method for cultivating microorganisms of the genus Thraustochytriales, according to which the microorganisms are cultivated in a low salt medium without adding sodium salts and chloride salts, the total salt content being less than 3.5 g/L (corresponding to less than 10 percent of sea water salt content), whereupon the PUFAs are isolated from the microorganisms and/or the medium. The invention especially relates to novel optimized media having a substantially reduced total salt content, above all a particularly reduced NaCl content. The production of PUFAs can be substantially improved and significantly simplified by using a novel combination of different salts as a media composition in which the overall weight ratios of ions do not exceed 1.75 g/L. Furthermore, said medium preferably contains no added sodium salt and chloride salt at all, which helps prevent environmental damages caused by wastewaters containing salt.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optimized method for cultivating microorganisms of the genus Thraustochytriales, according to which the microorganisms are cultivated in a low salt medium without adding sodium salts and chloride salts, the total salt content being less than 3.5 g/L (corresponding to less than 10 percent of sea water salt content), whereupon the PUFAs are isolated from the microorganisms and/or the medium. The invention especially relates to novel optimized media having a substantially reduced total salt content, above all a particularly reduced NaCl content. The production of PUFAs can be substantially improved and significantly simplified by using a novel combination of different salts as a media composition in which the overall weight ratios of ions do not exceed 1.75 g/L. Furthermore, said medium preferably contains no added sodium salt and chloride salt at all, which helps prevent environmental damages caused by wastewaters containing salt.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optimized method for the production of PUFAs by cultivating microorganisms belonging to the group of Stramenopiles in a fermentation medium that is pH-stabilized using calcium carbonate and comprises 3-15 g/L CaCO3, whereupon the PUFAs are isolated from the microorganisms and/or the medium. The invention particularly relates to novel optimized media having a different CaCO3 content. By using adequate quantities of CaCO3, the process can be significantly simplified during fermentation while greater quantities of DHA can be obtained at an increased oil content in the biomass. They allow microorganisms belonging to the Stramenopiles to be fermented without controlling the pH, thereby substantially improving and significantly simplifying PUFA production.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the rapid and simple identification of PUFA PKS in microorganisms. Said method is characterized by the fact that DNA sections representing PKS that produce specifically for PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acids) are reproduced in vitro. The PUFA PKS-specific amino acid sequence LGIDSIKRVEIL makes it possible to derive oligonucleotides which are used for the efficient PCR screening for PUFA PKS genes or PUFA-producing microorganisms. The inventive method is particularly suitable for the high throughput screening of microorganisms for PUFA PKS genes.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of microorganism cell culture. It devises a cell culture medium for and a method of culturing microorganisms of the order Thraustochytriales, especially for the production of omega-3-fatty acids. Furthermore it devises the use of ammonium tartrate as nitrogen source for the cultivation of micro-organisms of the order Thraustochytriales.

Abstract: The invention relates to genes which are coded for sequences specific to polyketide synthases (PKS). The thus synthesized PKS is characterized by the enzymatic capacity thereof to produce PUFAs (polyunsaturated fatty acids). The invention also relates to the identification of the corresponding DNA-sequences, in addition to the use of said nucleotide sequences for the production of recombined and/or transgenic organisms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved methods for the production of omega-3 fatty acids by microorganisms belonging to the microflora of Thraustochytriales using a modified composition of the culture medium. In particular, the invention is directed to a process for the production of omega-3 fatty acids by culturing microflora, such as strains of Ulkenia, Thraustochytrium and/or Schizochytrium, in fermentors which includes the step of culturing the Thraustochytriales microflora in an environment of reduced sodium ions and increased potassium ions.

Abstract: The invention relates to genes which are coded for sequences specific to polyketide synthases (PKS). The thus synthesized PKS is characterized by the enzymatic capacity thereof to produce PUFAs (polyunsaturated fatty acids). The invention also relates to the identification of the corresponding DNA-sequences, in addition to the use of said nucleotide sequences for the production of recombined and/or transgenic organisms.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the rapid and simple identification of PUFA PKS in microorganisms. Said method is characterized by the fact that DNA sections representing PKS that produce specifically for PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acids) are reproduced in vitro. The PUFA PKS-specific amino acid sequence LGIDSIKRVEIL makes it possible to derive oligonucleotides which are used for the efficient PCR screening for PUFA PKS genes or PUFA-producing microorganisms. The inventive method is particularly suitable for the high throughput screening of microorganisms for PUFA PKS genes.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optimized method for the production of PUFAs by cultivating microorganisms belonging to the group of Stramenopiles in a fermentation medium that is pH-stabilized using calcium carbonate and comprises 3-15 g/L CaCO3, whereupon the PUFAs are isolated from the microorganisms and/or the medium. The invention particularly relates to novel optimized media having a different CaCO3 content. By using adequate quantities of CaCO3, the process can be significantly simplified during fermentation while greater quantities of DHA can be obtained at an increased oil content in the biomass. They allow microorganisms belonging to the Stramenopiles to be fermented without controlling the pH, thereby substantially improving and significantly simplifying PUFA production.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optimized method for cultivating microorganisms of the genus Thraustochytriales, according to which the microorganisms are cultivated in a low salt medium without adding sodium salts and chloride salts, the total salt content being less than 3.5 g/L (corresponding to less than 10 percent of sea water salt content), whereupon the PUFAs are isolated from the microorganisms and/or the medium. The invention especially relates to novel optimized media having a substantially reduced total salt content, above all a particularly reduced NaCl content. The production of PUFAs can be substantially improved and significantly simplified by using a novel combination of different salts as a media composition in which the overall weight ratios of ions do not exceed 1.75 g/L. Furthermore, said medium preferably contains no added sodium salt and chloride salt at all, which helps prevent environmental damages caused by wastewaters containing salt.