The main objective of the study was to develop a concept for the use of oleaginous Yarrowia lipolytica biomass and single-cell oil (SCO) as vegan food components. SCOs were derived from the wild-type strain KKP 379, cultured in media containing glucose, cold-pressed rapeseed oil, and cost-effective carbon sources such as molasses and post-frying rapeseed oil. Confocal microscopy analysis of the biomass and detailed analysis of the composition of fatty acids, sterols, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the extracted lipids were conducted. The choice of substrates allowed to obtain SCO from post-frying rapeseed oil medium with the desired yield (3.27 g/L), composition (UFA - 93.34%), and high oxidative stability (Τmax-204.94 min, 120°C, isothermal conditions). The content of hexane as an extraction solvent was also evaluated, which also complied with European Union requirements (0.0007 mg/kg). All SCOs from Y. lipolytica met the European Commission's requirements for marketed oils and fats for maximum levels of benzo[a)pyrene and the sum of benzo[a]pyrene, benzo[a]anthracene, benzo[b]fluoranthene and chrysene. The content of benzo[a]pyrene was in the range of 0.52-1.71 μg/kg. Finally, the oleaginous yeast biomass was subsequently applied as an enrichment additive in plant-based analogs of Camambert-type cheese, and its potential for use in fat-rich vegan food products was discussed.
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