A process is provided for growing microflora of the order Thraustochytriales such as Thraustochytrium,
Schizochytrium, and mixtures thereof, in
fermentation medium containing non-
chloride containing
sodium salts, in particular
sodium sulfate. In a preferred embodiment, the process produce, microflora having a
cell aggregate size useful for the production of
food products for use in
aquaculture. Further provided is a food product which includes Thraustochytrium,
Schizochytrium, and mixture thereof, and a component selected from flaxseed, reapedeed, soybean and avocado
meal. Such a food product includes a balance of
long chain and short chain
omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids. A method for increasing
omega-3 highly
unsaturated fatty acid content of eggs by feeding a feed to poultry. The feed contains the microorganisms of the order Thraustochytriales having a
omega-3 highly
unsaturated fatty acid content of more than 6.7 percent of
total cell dry weight. The microorganisms include strains of
Schizochytrium and Thraustochytrium such as ATCC No.(s) 20888 and 20889, and ATCC No.(s) 20890, 20891 and 20892, respectively. Also provided are eggs containing an increased amount of these fatty acids.