  It is shown that the $\bar{\Lambda}/\Lambda$ cross section ratio in
semi-inclusive electroproduction of $\Lambda$ and $\bar{\Lambda}$ hyperons in
deep inelastic scattering of charged lepton on a nucleon target, can provide
useful information on the quark to $\Lambda$ fragmentation functions. This
ratio is calculated explicitly in a quark-diquark model, a pQCD based analysis,
and an SU(3) symmetry model, with three different options for the contribution
from the unfavored fragmentation functions. The $x$-dependence of this ratio is
sensitive to the ratio of unfavored fragmentation functions over favored
fragmentation functions, $D_{\bar{u}}^{\Lambda}(z)/D_{u}^{\Lambda}(z)$, whereas
the $z$-dependence is sensitive to the flavor structure of the fragmentation
functions, i.e., the ratio $D_u^{\Lambda}(z)/D_s^{\Lambda}(z)$. Future
measurements by the HERMES Collaboration at DESY can discriminate between
various cases.
