α-Ketoglutaric acid production by Yarrowia lipolytica and its regulation

The yeast Yarrowia lipolytica VKM Y-2412 was selected as a prospective producer of alpha-ketoglutaric acid (KGA) from ethanol. The following peculiarities were found: (1) the intensive KGA production occurred only under the limitation of cell growth by thiamine and the excess of ethanol and nitrogen, (2) the production of KGA from ethanol required increased amount of zinc and iron ions, and (3) KGA production increased significantly with a high aeration at pH medium equal to 3.5. Under optimal conditions, the Y. lipolytica VKM Y-2412 produced up to 172 g l(-1) of KGA with the mass yield coefficient of 0.70 g g(-1).