Patent ID: 8187846

Claim:
A process for growing microorganisms of the order Thraustochytriales by conducting a fermentation of the microorganisms in a medium comprising a carbon source, and a limiting nutrient source, the process comprising: a) providing the fermentation medium comprising the carbon source and the limiting nutrient source; b) adding the microorganisms to the fermentation medium; c) adding an additional amount of the carbon source and limiting nutrient source to the fermentation medium to increase the biomass density of the fermentation medium when the dissolved oxygen content of the fermentation medium is at least 4% of saturation; d) allowing the dissolved oxygen content of the fermentation medium to decrease to less than about 3% of saturation; wherein lipid production is induced in the microorganisms, wherein the microorganisms produce lipids containing polyunsaturated fatty acids after lipid production is induced in the microorganisms, and wherein the lipids are at least 20% by weight of the dry cell weight of the biomass.