Infant formula and baby food containing docosahexaenoic acid obtained from dinoflagellates
AssigneeMartek Biosciences Corporation
InventorsDavid J. Kyle, Sue E. Reeb, Valerie J. Sicotte
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Abstract
Infant formula and baby food compositions are presented which contain single cell edible oil which is recovered from dinoflagellates and which lacks unpleasant tastes and fishy odors. This single cell edible oil comprises at least 70% triglycerides which contain about 20-35% docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and lack eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). To produce the single cell oil, the dinoflagellates are cultivated in fermentors and induced to produce the single cell oil which is subsequently recovered by extraction with solvents.
Claims16
An infant formula comprising a single cell edible oil recovered from a dinoflagellate, which oil comprises at least 70% triglycerides containing at least about 20% DHA, said oil containing no significant quantity of EPA.
Infant formula comprising a single cell edible oil which comprises at least about 70% triglycerides containing at least about 20% DHA which is produced by a process comprising:
- cultivating heterotrophic microalgae of the class Dinophyceae in an aerated fermentor containing a nutrient solution having a limiting nitrogen source and an oxygen level of at least about 10% of air saturation level and continuing cultivation to achieve a cell density of at least about 10 grams biomass per liter of nutrient solution,
- wherein the concentration of the nitrogen source in the nutrient solution is limited sufficiently to induce said microalgae to produce the single cell oil at a concentration of at least 1.5 grams per liter of nutrient solution, and
- recovering single cell oil containing at least 70% triglycerides.
Baby food comprising a single cell edible oil recovered from a dinoflagellate, which oil comprises at least 70% triglycerides containing at least about 20% DHA, said oil containing no significant quantity of EPA.
Baby food comprising a single cell edible oil which comprises at least about 70% triglycerides containing at least about 20% DHA which is produced by a process comprising:
- cultivating heterotrophic microalgae of the class Dinophyceae in an aerated fermentor containing a nutrient solution having a limiting nitrogen source and an oxygen level of at least about 10% of air saturation level and continuing cultivation to achieve a cell density of at least about 10 grams biomass per liter of nutrient solution,
- wherein the concentration of the nitrogen source in the nutrient solution is limited sufficiently to induce said microalgae to produce the single cell oil at a concentration of at least 1.5 grams per liter of nutrient solution, and
- recovering single cell oil containing at least 70% triglycerides.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.