Edible oil containing arachidonic acid obtained from microorganisms belonging to the subgenus Mortierella of the genus Mortierella and being capable of producing arachidonic acid are provided. The oil contain little unsaponifiable matters and, above all, the smallest possible amount of sterol with cyclopropane structure which have not been recognized as food components, and are suitable for the production of foods, in particular, infant formula.Arachidonic acid-containing edible oil originating in microorganisms containing not more than 0.8% by weight, preferably not more than 0.6% by weight of unsaponifiable matters and 20% by weight or more of arachidonic acid. Further, these edible oil contain not more than 0.3% by weight, preferably not more than 0.15% by weight of 24,25-methylenecholest-5-en-3β -ol. The microorganisms are those belonging to the subgenus Mortierella of the genus Mortierella and being capable of producing arachidonic acid. These microorganisms belong to the species alpina of the genus Mortierella. Foods including the arachidonic acid-containing edible oil. Formula for premature infants, formula for infants, foods for infants, and foods for pregnant women and nursing mothers, including the arachidonic acid-containing edible oil.
