Method for producing a genetically modified plant organism, in particular algae or microalgae, which has the ability to accumulate lipids with a modified lipid profile for the purpose of producing oils for food use.

Herein are provided methods for increasing enzymatic activity of desaturases and fatty acyl reductases by co-expressing NAD(P)H cytochrome b5 reductases (EC 1.6.2.2, Ncb5or), as well as to methods for production of compounds comprised in pheromones, in particular moth pheromones, such as saturated and desaturated fatty alcohols, and saturated and desaturated fatty alcohol acetates and fatty acids, and derivatives thereof, in a cell.

Some aspects of this invention provide engineered microbes for oil production. Methods for microbe engineering and for use of engineered microbes are also provided herein. In some embodiments, microbes provided are engineered to produce oils with low linoleic acids. In some embodiments, microbes provided are engineered to increase the production of lipids by the microbes. In some embodiments, microbes provided are engineered to decrease the viscosity of a liquid culture comprising the microbes. Also disclosed herein are methods of processing, culturing, separating, and extracting products from engineered microbes for oil production.