S185: Engineering of Yarrowia lipolytica for the Production of Commerical Products

The oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica has been developed as a fermentation host of a clean and renewable source of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5, omega-3 fatty acid). While certain Yarrowia strains can accumulate oil up to 40% of the dry cell weight, the only long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid normally synthesized by this organism is linoleic acid (C18:2, omega-6). Our commercial oil “New Harvest^TM Omega-3” is derived from an engineered Yarrowia strain that produces greater than 55% of its total fatty acids as EPA, and less than 6% as saturated fatty acid. We will discuss in detail the approaches used to engineer Yarrowia for production of EPA, such as modification of the peroxisome, alteration of global regulators and engineering of metabolic pathways. Our Yarrowia technology has generated a platform for production of carotenoids, resveratrol and tailored omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acid compositions. Our land-based production of EPA, DHA, ARA, GLA, carotenoids and resveratrol provides a superior source for these high value molecules for applications in nutritional supplements, functional foods, infant foods, medical foods, pharmaceuticals, and animal feeds.