COLUMBIA, Md., Nov 16, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Martek Biosciences (MATK) announced today the availability of a lower cost version of Martek DHA for use in foods and beverages. The new and improved Martek DHA has enhanced food formulation capabilities, including better stability and easier formulation in some applications.

Martek has developed a more efficient manufacturing process that produces high levels of DHA at a significantly lower cost. The new Martek DHA is now cost competitive with certain forms of fish oil, on a price per DHA unit basis. The stability afforded by this new DHA oil enables it to be used in certain food and beverages without the need for a more expensive powder form often required for formulation with fish oils.

"Consumers and their health are the big winners from this new version of Martek DHA. It's a special day when you can get a great product at a much lower cost. This new product is ideal for foods and beverages with its stability and sensory characteristics and it has all the benefits of a pure, vegetarian source of DHA," stated Martek CEO Henry "Pete" Linsert.

Martek DHA is an all-natural, vegetarian source of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), the key omega-3 fatty acid for brain and eye development and function. Numerous scientific studies demonstrate that people of all ages, from infants to adults, may benefit from an adequate supply of DHA in the diet. Yet, despite its importance, natural food sources of DHA are limited primarily to fatty fish, making it difficult for many people to get enough DHA in their diets.

Made from algae under tightly controlled manufacturing conditions, Martek DHA is free of oceanic contaminants that may be present in certain fish or fish oils. Algae is the only vegetarian source of DHA, a long chain omega-3 fatty acid. Other vegetarian sources of omega-3s, such as flax seed, walnuts and certain vegetable oils are sources of ALA (Alpha-Linolenic Acid), a shorter-chain omega-3 that does not directly support brain or eye development or function.

Martek Biosciences Corporation develops, manufactures and sells naturally produced products from microalgae and fungi. The Company's products include: (1) specialty, nutritional oils for infant formula that aid in the development of the eyes and central nervous system in newborns; (2) nutritional supplements and food ingredients that may play a beneficial role in promoting mental and cardiovascular health throughout life; and (3) powerful fluorescent markers for diagnostics, rapid miniaturized screening, and gene and protein detection.