Applications of the Non-Conventional Yeast Yarrowia lipolytica

Abstract

The yeast Yarrowia lipolytica is often found associated to proteinaceous or hydrophobic substrates such as alkanes or lipids. To assimilate these hydropho- bic substrates, Y. lipolytica has developed an adaptative strategy resulting in elabo- rated morphological and physiological changes leading to terminal and β -oxidation of substrates as well as to lipid storage. The completion of the Y. lipolytica genome greatly improved our understanding of these mechanisms. Three main applications of this metabolism will be discussed. The first class corresponds to bioconver- sion processes for the production of secondary metabolites (citric acid), of aroma ( γ - lactone, green note, epoxy geraniol) and of chemicals (dicarboxylic acids). The second class leads to fine chemical production by enantio separation of pharmaceu- tical compounds using Y. lipolytica enzymes such as epoxyde hydrolase or lipase. The third one refers to production of Single Cell Oils (SCO) from agriculture feedstock. In addition to its ability to handle hydrophobic substrates, Y. lipolytica has also been recognised as a strong secretor of various proteins such as proteases, lipases, RNases and others. A comprehensive review of recent developments of the Y. lipolytica expression/secretion system will finally be presented.