Yarrowia is a fungal
genus in the family
Dipodascaceae. For a while the genus was
monotypic, containing the single species Yarrowia lipolytica, a
yeast that can use unusual carbon sources, such as
hydrocarbons.[2] This has made it of interest for use in
industrial microbiology, especially for the production of specialty
lipids.[3]Molecular phylogenetics analysis has revealed several other species that have since been added to the genus.[4][5][6]
In January 2019, Yarrowia lipolytica yeast
biomass was defined by the
European Food Safety Authority as a safe
novel food – dried and heat‐killed – with the underlying qualifications that it is widespread in nature, present in the typical environment, may be used as food for people over age 3 (3 grams per day for children under age 10, and 6 grams per day for teens and adults), and may be manufactured as a
dietary supplement.[7]
Biology
Habitat
Yarrowia lipolytica has been isolated from various locations (e.g. milled corn fiber tailings or Paris sewers[8]). Often these environments contain an excess of lipids, which can be efficiently utilized by Y. lipolytica as a carbon and energy source.[9] This species is strictly
aerobic.[10]
Oleaginous yeast
The cells of Y. lipolytica have over 20% fat content, placing it in the group of oleaginous yeasts.[10] Most lipids are stored as
triacylglycerids (TAGs). This physiological trait makes this species especially interesting for producing lipid derivates. For example, genetic engineering and process optimization allow it to produce high amounts of
eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).[11]
Dimorphism
Yarrowia lipolytica has
dimorphic growth,[10] which means it can grow in two different phenotypes. The usual form of the cells can be described as round and spherical. When exposed to stressful conditions such as temperature, pH, mechanical or osmotic stress,[12] the cell can switch into a filamentous growth form (also see
hyphae).
Genome
The genome of Y. lipolytica consists of around 20.5 Mbp (mega base pairs), encodes for over 7000 genes and is distributed on six
chromosomes (named A to F) and the
mitochondrial DNA (M). Naturally, there are small differences in the length of the genomes of different strain isolates. Usually hemiascomycetous yeast have a low number of
introns, but Y. lipolytica is an exception with about 15% of genes containing introns.[13]
^Papanikolaou S, Aggelis G (2010). "Yarrowia lipolytica: A model microorganism used for the production of tailor-made lipids". European Journal of Lipid Science and Technology. 112 (6): 639–654.
doi:
10.1002/ejlt.200900197.
^Nagy E, Dlauchy D, Medeiros AO, Péter G, Rosa CA (April 2014). "Yarrowia porcina sp. nov. and Yarrowia bubula f.a. sp. nov., two yeast species from meat and river sediment". Antonie van Leeuwenhoek. 105 (4): 697–707.
doi:
10.1007/s10482-014-0125-4.
PMID24500004.
S2CID14196562.