Contribution of a chain-shortening pathway to the biosynthesis of the fatty acids of mannosylerythritol lipid (biosurfactant) in the yeast Candida antarctica: effect of β-oxidation inhibitors on biosurfactant synthesis

Abstract

Inhibitors of β-oxidation on the synthesis of glycolipid biosurfactant, mannosylerythritol lipid (MEL), were used to clarify the fatty acid metabolism of MEL in Candida antarctica. 2-Bromooctanoic acid drastically inhibited the lipid synthesis under growing- and resting-cell conditions; moreover, the degree of the inhibition increased along with increases in both the inhibitor concentration and the chain-length of the fatty acid substrate used. These results clearly provide additional support for the essential contribution of the mammalian type of 'chain-shortening pathway' (partial β-oxidation) to the biosynthesis of the extracellular glycolipids. © Rapid Science Ltd. 1998