Process for production of dihomo-γ-linolenic acid and lipid containing same

A process for the production of DGLA comprising the steps of:

• culturing a microorganism of the genus Mortierella having an ability to produce ARA and having reduced or lost Δ5 desaturation activity, so that the microorganism produces DGLA and ARA at a ratio of at least 2.5 (DGLA/ARA) in the absence of Δ5 desaturase inhibitor, in a medium supplemented with an at least one additive selected from the group consisting of sesame oil, peanut oil, an extract obtained by extracting sesame oil with an organic solvent substantially immiscible with sesame oil, an extract of sesame seeds, an extract of Gokahi derived from a medicinal plant which is Acanthopanax gracilistylus W. W. Smith, Acanthopanax henyri or Acanthopanax verticillatus Hoo, an extract of Touboku derived from a medicinal plant which is Paulownia fortunei Hemsl or Paulownia tomentosa Steud., an extract of Hakukajihi derived from a medicinal plant which is Ginkgo biloba L., an extract of Hihatsu derived from a medicinal plant which is Piper longum L., an extract of Saishin (Asiasari radix) derived from a medicinal plant which is Asiasarum heterotropoides var. mandshuricum or Asarum seiboldii Miq., an extract of tarragon, an extract of dill seeds, an extract of parsle, an extract of turmeric and an extract of nutmeg, or adding said additive into a medium in which said microorganism has been cultured and further culturing the microorganism to produce DGLA or a lipid containing DGLA, and recovering the DGLA.

A process for the production of a lipid containing DGLA comprising the steps of:

• culturing a microorganism of the genus Mortierella having an ability to produce ARA and having a reduced or lost Δ5 desaturation activity, so that the microorganism produces DGLA and ARA at a ratio of at least 2.5 (DGLA/ARA) in the absence of Δ5 desaturase inhibitor, in a medium supplemented with at least one additive selected from the group consisting of sesame oil, peanut oil, an extract obtained by extracting sesame oil with an organic solvent substantially immiscible with sesame oil, an extract of sesame seeds, an extract of Gokahi derived from a medicinal plant which is Acanthopanax gracilistylus W. W. Smith, Acanthopanax senticosus Harms, Acanthopanax henryi or Acanthopanax verticillatus Hoo, an extract of Touboku derived from a medicinal plant which is Paulownia fortunei Hemsl or Paulownia tomentosa Steud., an extract of Hakukajihi derived from a medicinal plant which is Ginkgo biloba L., an extract of Hihatsu derived from a medicinal plant which is Piper longum L., an extract of Saishin (Asiasari radix) derived from a medicinal plant which is Asiasarum heterotropoides var. mandshuricum or Asarum seiboldii Miq., an extract of tarragon, an extract of dill seeds, an extract of parsley, an extract of turmeric and an extract of nutmeg, or adding said additive into a medium in which said microorganism has been cultured and further culturing the microorganism to produce a lipid containing DGLA, and
• recovering the lipid containing DGLA.