NOVEL MICROORGANISMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING HIGHLY UNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCING HIGHLY UNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS BY USING THE MICROORGANISMS

摘要

A microorganism which is Schizochytrium SR21 strain capable of producing (n-3) docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and (n-6) docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), one which belongs to the same genus as that of this strain, and one which has substantially the same mycological properties as those of these microorganisms; and a process for producing (n-3) DHA and (n-6) DPA by using these microorganisms. They are excellent in reproduction properties and the capability of accumulating fats and have an extremely high (n-3) DHA and (n-6) DPA productivity. Thus, (n-3) DHA and/or (n-6) DPA, which are useful in the fields of foods and drugs, can be efficiently produced by using these microorganisms. Also, fats obtained by incubating these microorganisms are provided. When added to various feeds or foods, these fat compositions containing (n-3) DHA having various physiological activities together with (n-6) DPA it possible to stably and efficiently supply (n-3) DHA and/or (n-6) DPA to the subjects requiring the same.