The present invention provides a process for the production of a microbial
oil comprising culturing a micro-organism in a two stage fermentation
process where, in a last stage that precedes the end of fermentation, the
carbon source is: consumed by the micro-organisms at a rate greater than
it is added to the medium; added at a rate #0.30 M carbon/kg medium; or
is rate limiting on the growth of the micro-organism. The micro-organisms
thus have the carbon source restricted so that they preferentially
metabolise fats or lipids other than arachidonic acid (ARA), so
increasing the proportion of ARA in the cells. A microbial oil is then
recovered from the micro-organism, using hexane as a solvent, that has at
least 50% ARA and at least 90% triglycerides.