ABSTRACT
The research examined the capabilities of Yarrowia lipolytica (YL) and Pichia farinosa (PF) in converting sugars to ethanol and oleochemicals. Lipid, ethanol, protein yield and gene-expressions were analysed at different substrate concentrations (3 to 30 g/L) with glucose, food waste, and fermentation-effluent. Optimal results were obtained at 20 g/L using both synthetic carbon with 4.6 % of total lipid yield. Lauric and Caprylic acid dominance was noted in total lipid fractions. Protein accumulation (6 g/L) was observed in glucose system (20 g/L) indicating yeast strains potential as single-cell proteins (SCP). Fatty-acid desaturase (FAD12) and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) expressions were higher at optimum condition of YL (1.15 × 10-1, 3.8 × 10-2) and PF (5.8 × 10-2, 3.8 × 10-2) respectively. Maximum carbon reduction of 87 % depicted at best condition, aligning with metabolic yield. These findings highlights promising role of yeast as biorefinery biocatalyst.
