The present invention is concerned with materials and methods for the production of genetically modified plants, particularly where the plants are for the production of at least one unsaturated or polyunsaturated fatty acid. The invention is also concerned with identification of genes conveying an unsaturated fatty acid metabolic property to a plant or plant cell, and generally relates to the field of phosphotidylcholine:diacylglycerol cholinephosphotransferase (PDCT).

Process for enriching microalgal biomass, in particular of the genus Nannochloropsis, with different polyunsaturated fatty acids, primarily docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 n-3, DHA), using oils that are rich in these fatty acids. The process comprises the following steps: Preparing a solution or an emulsion of lipids+emulsifying agent (BSA), Preparing the biomass concentrate to obtain a final concentration of mg/ml or greater, Enriching the biomass concentrate by adding the lipids or the emulsion thereof to the microalgal concentrate, Allowing the mixture to rest under constant stirring for at least 24 hours under lighting conditions.

The process allows for the simultaneous enrichment of microalgal biomass of the genus Nannochloropsis with eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5 n-3) (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 n-3) (DHA), to obtain a minimum EPA:DHA weight ratio of 10:1, with an EPA content of at least 10% of the total fatty acid content.

Process for enriching microalgal biomass, in particular of the genus Nannochloropsis, with different polyunsaturated fatty acids, primarily docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 n-3, DHA), using oils that are rich in these fatty acids. The process comprises the following steps: Preparing a solution or an emulsion of lipids+emulsifying agent (BSA), Preparing the biomass concentrate to obtain a final concentration of mg/ml or greater, Enriching the biomass concentrate by adding the lipids or the emulsion thereof to the microalgal concentrate, Allowing the mixture to rest under constant stirring for at least 24 hours under lighting conditions.

The process allows for the simultaneous enrichment of microalgal biomass of the genus Nannochloropsis with eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5 n-3) (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 n-3) (DHA), to obtain a minimum EPA:DHA weight ratio of 10:1, with an EPA content of at least 10% of the total fatty acid content.

This invention relates to a biological oil composition, preferably obtained from a copepod, most preferably the copepod Calanus finmarchicus and the use thereof to prevent or treat formation of atherosclerotic plaques and hence development of coronary heart disease. The composition comprises the same marine n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) generally regarded as being responsible for the anti-atherosclerotic effect of marine oils, namely EPA (C20:5n-3 eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (C22:6n-3 docosahexaenoic acid). However, quite unexpectedly, it has been found that the oil composition of the present invention has a remarkably higher ability to prevent formation of atherosclerotic plaques than what can be attributed to EPA and DHA alone, and moreover, unlike EPA and DHA alone it has a notable blood cholesterol lowering effect.

This invention relates to a biological oil composition, preferably obtained from a copepod, most preferably the copepod Calanus finmarchicus and the use thereof to prevent or treat formation of atherosclerotic plaques and hence development of coronary heart disease. The composition comprises the same marine n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) generally regarded as being responsible for the anti-atherosclerotic effect of marine oils, namely EPA (C20:5n-3 eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (C22:6n-3 docosahexaenoic acid). However, quite unexpectedly, it has been found that the oil composition of the present invention has a remarkably higher ability to prevent formation of atherosclerotic plaques than what can be attributed to EPA and DHA alone, and moreover, unlike EPA and DHA alone it has a notable blood cholesterol lowering effect.

There are provided microorganisms having a property of producing a lipid containing unsaturated fatty acids as constituent fatty acids and extracellularly secreting the produced lipid encapsulated in lipid particles, methods of screening said microorganisms, as well as methods of efficiently producing a fatty acid-containing lipid using said microorganisms. Furthermore, there are provided lipid particles encapsulating a lipid containing unsaturated fatty acids, and foods, cosmetics, and animal feeds comprising said lipid particles added thereto. Artificially treated microorganisms or microorganisms collected from nature are grown on a solid medium, and microbial strains that form lipid particles at the periphery of the colonies and/or microbial strains that, when cultured in a transparent liquid medium, make the culture liquid cloudy are selected. The microorganisms obtained are cultured, lipid-containing lipid particles secreted in the culture liquid, are separated from the culture liquid, and the lipid is separated and purified.

There are provided microorganisms having a property of producing a lipid containing unsaturated fatty acids as constituent fatty acids and extracellularly secreting the produced lipid encapsulated in lipid particles, methods of screening said microorganisms, as well as methods of efficiently producing a fatty acid-containing lipid using said microorganisms. Furthermore, there are provided lipid particles encapsulating a lipid containing unsaturated fatty acids, and foods, cosmetics, and animal feeds comprising said lipid particles added thereto. Artificially treated microorganisms or microorganisms collected from nature are grown on a solid medium, and microbial strains that form lipid particles at the periphery of the colonies and/or microbial strains that, when cultured in a transparent liquid medium, make the culture liquid cloudy are selected. The microorganisms obtained are cultured, lipid-containing lipid particles secreted in the culture liquid, are separated from the culture liquid, and the lipid is separated and purified.

Various embodiments disclosed relate to modified triglyceride including omega-3 fatty acid residue, structured fat blends including the same, food and fish feeds including the same, and methods of making any of the foregoing. A modified triglyceride includes an omega-3 fatty acid residue and a saturated fatty acid residue. A structured fat blend including the modified triglyceride can be a product of interesterification of a starting material triglyceride including an omega-3 fatty acid residue and a highly saturated triglyceride. When used in a fish feed, the modified triglyceride can experience less leakage in water than the starting material triglyceride including the omega-3 fatty acid residue.

Various embodiments disclosed relate to modified triglyceride including omega-3 fatty acid residue, structured fat blends including the same, food and fish feeds including the same, and methods of making any of the foregoing. A modified triglyceride includes an omega-3 fatty acid residue and a saturated fatty acid residue. A structured fat blend including the modified triglyceride can be a product of interesterification of a starting material triglyceride including an omega-3 fatty acid residue and a highly saturated triglyceride. When used in a fish feed, the modified triglyceride can experience less leakage in water than the starting material triglyceride including the omega-3 fatty acid residue.

The present invention relates to cancer therapy by administering a specific dietary compensation. Especially the invention relates to a pharmaceutical, medical food or dietary supplement composition comprising the combination of the following three active ingredients: hydroxytyrosol, fish oil EPA/DHA and curcumin. The pharmaceutical composition is useful in the treatment or prevention of cancer, especially breast cancer.