Yarrowia lipolytica as a potential producer of citric acid from raw glycerol.
OBJECTIVE
To study the biochemical response of Yarrowia lipolytica LGAM S(7)1 during growth on raw glycerol (the main by-product of bio-diesel production units) in order to produce metabolic products of industrial significance.


RESULTS
Yarrowia lipolytica was cultivated on raw glycerol or glucose in flasks. Although nitrogen-limited media were employed, growth was not followed by production of reserve lipid. Nitrogen limitation led to citric acid excretion. Growth and citric acid production parameters on glycerol were similar to those obtained on glucose. When high initial glycerol media were used, citric acid up to 35 g l(-1) (yield 0.42-0.44 g acid g(-1) glycerol consumed) was produced.


CONCLUSIONS
Raw glycerol was an adequate substrate for Y. lipolytica. Growth was not followed by reserve lipid accumulation, but amounts of citric acid were produced.


CONCLUSIONS
Raw glycerol is an industrial feedstock appearing in increasing quantities as the main by-product of bio-diesel production facilities. The present study describes an alternative way of glycerol valorization, with the production of remarkable amounts of citric acid, in addition to its main valorization way (production of 1,3-propanediol by bacteria).
Papanikolaou
S
S
Laboratoire des Sciences du Génie Chimique, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy France.
Muniglia
L
L
Chevalot
I
I
Aggelis
G
G
Marc
I
I
D018533:Biomass; D019343:Citric Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D003470:Culture Media; D005947:Glucose; D005990:Glycerol / Q000378:metabolism*; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis; D025062:Yarrowia / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*
D003470:Culture Media; D008055:Lipids; D019343:Citric Acid; D005947:Glucose; D005990:Glycerol