Glycerol as a promising substrate for Yarrowia lipolytica biotechnological applications

Unconventional and nonpathogenic Yarrowia lipolytica yeast has been addressed in various studies conducted in many research centers, and in recent years has been perceived as an especially attractive host for many applications of glycerol. In its initial paragraphs, this review article provides a short characteristics of Y. lipolytica; followed by biodiesel production and brief characteristics of crude glycerol. Further on, this review summarizes relevant scientific research concerning the conversion of crude glycerol discharged after bio-diesel (fatty acid methyl/ethyl esters) manufacturing process into value-added products through biological methods with Y. lipolytica yeast. The feasibility of using Y. lipolytica biomass, rich in proteins and oils, as food and feed additives is described as well. Subsequently, different strategies employed to produce and improve yield and productivity of organic acids (citric, pyruvic and α-ketoglutaric acid) are presented. And, finally, the biosynthesis of new products, such as erythritol, mannitol and invertase, whose synthesis from glycerol by Y. lipolytica would be advantageous when compared with their production from common sugars, is evaluated. In conclusion, an actual wide range of compounds that can be produced from glycerol by Y. lipolytica are shown to be a valuable contribution to the development of the biodiesel industry as well as a cost-effective fermentation based on renewable resources.

► Biomass of Yarrowia lipolytica rich in proteins is suitable for food and feed industry.
► Crude glycerol is a good substrate for high-yield organic acids production.
► Y. lipolytica (suc+, PXPR2) is able to produce invertase and citric acid.
► Glycerol is an alternative substrate for erythritol and mannitol biosynthesis.