<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 23.1
CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in Amendment
No. 2 to the Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-34460) of Martek
Biosciences Corporation for the registration of 2,536,532 shares of its Common
Stock and 734,391 Warrants to Purchase Common Stock and to the incorporation by
reference therein of our report dated December 14, 1999, with respect to the
financial statements of Martek Biosciences Corporation included in its Annual
Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended October 31, 1999, filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
McLean, Virginia
October 5, 2000
