Fermentation Conditions and Media Optimization for Isocitric Acid Production from Ethanol by Yarrowia lipolytica

Biomed Res Int. 2018 Feb 7:2018:2543210. doi: 10.1155/2018/2543210. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Isocitric acid exists in the form of four stereoisomers, of which only the threo-Ds-form (ICA) is a natural active compound, an intermediate of Krebs cycle, and suitable for nutritional and pharmaceutical use. In this paper, we propose a method for ICA production from ethanol by yeast Yarrowia lipolytica. The effects of temperature, pH of the medium, and aeration on the growth of the producer Y. lipolytica VKM Y-2373 and synthesis of ICA were studied. An optimal fermentation regime, which ensures a good growth of the producer and directed synthesis of the target product, was determined. The producer is advised to carry out cultivation at 29°C and various pH of the medium and the oxygen concentration (pH 5 and pO2 20-25% (of saturation) during the growth period and pH 6 and pO2 50-55% (of saturation) during the acid formation) on a nutrient medium containing an increased content of zinc (0.6 mg/L), iron (1.2 mg/L), and 30 mM itaconic acid (inhibitor of isocitrate lyase-the key enzyme of ICA metabolism) should also be introduced into the nutrition medium. Such fermentation production mode provides 90.5 g/L ICA with process selectivity of 80%, mass yield (YICA) of 0.77 g/g, and energy yield (ηICA) of 0.278 g/g.

MeSH terms

  • Citric Acid Cycle
  • Culture Media / chemistry
  • Ethanol / chemistry
  • Ethanol / metabolism*
  • Fermentation*
  • Isocitrate Lyase / chemistry*
  • Isocitrates / chemistry*
  • Oxygen / chemistry
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Yarrowia / chemistry

Substances

  • Culture Media
  • Isocitrates
  • Ethanol
  • isocitric acid
  • Isocitrate Lyase
  • Oxygen