Abstract: Fermentation conditions of γ linolenic acid by Cunninghamella elegans were optimized.It was researched the effect of carbon sources, nitrogen sources, the concentration of glucose and nitrogen sources, phosphate and inorganic salt ions on production of GLA.The optimal medium were as follows:glucose100g/L, urea 3g/L, sodium nitrate 3g/L, magnesium ions 0.1g/L, ferrous ion 0.04g/L, calcium ion 0.04g/L, dipotassium phosphate 1.5g/L.γ linolenic acid output was reached 3.34g/L after optimization, which was the initial medium γ linolenic acid yield of 4.5 times.