(487g) Yarrowia Lipolytica: A Novel Bioproduction Platform to Utilize Xylose, Biomass Hydrolysates, and Lignin-Derived Compounds

Yarrowia lipolytica is a non-conventional, oleaginous yeast that grows on numerous substrates, including glycerol, fats, and other hydrophobic carbon sources. As an efficient producer of citric acid, lipase, and triacylglycerides, Y. lipolytica has gained attention as a bio-production platform. Growth of Y. lipolytica on glucose, glycerol, and alkanes has been well described. Indeed, most of the metabolic engineering of this organism is based on glucose feedstocks. Growth on more recalcitrant biomass, however, has not been well described. Here, we present our data indicating Y. lipolytica can utilize xylose and other pentose sugars, and that pentose and hexose sugars are consumed simultaneously. We have also shown that Y. lipolytica thrives on hydrolyzed biomass feedstocks. Genetic and transcriptional analysis indicates the role or lack thereof of predicted enzymes and transporters in xylose metabolism. Last, we will describe our work to characterize the growth of Y. lipolytica on various lignin-derived compounds. In all of these studies, the fundamental biochemistry involved in metabolism of these feedstocks has not been well elucidated. We will present our evidence describing the enzymes involved in these reactions. Our work will open up possibilities for engineering Y. lipolytica as a bioproduction platform utilizing crude and less desirable feedstocks.