Production of citric and isocitric acid by Yarrowia lipolytica strains grown on different carbon sources

Objective: The goal of this study was to determine the influence of various carbon sources on the citric and isocitric acid production by various Yarrowia lipolytica strains. Methods: The yeasts used in our study were first investigated for organic acid production using screening media. Then, the effect of several complex carbon sources on the citric and isocitric acid production of selected yeast strains was investigated. The amount of citric and isocitric acid production was determined via enzymatic reactions. Results: In this study, 22 Y. lipolytica strains were investigated for the organic acid production. Among these strains, 2 strains (TEM YL 3 and TEM YL 20) were found to be highest organic-acid producer. Taken all results together, the highest amounts of citric acid (66.2 g/L for TEM YL 3, 50.0 g/L for TEM YL 20) were observed in the production medium containing sunflower oil. Conclusion: Citric acid consumption, and thus, the need for it are constantly rising in our country, which imports citric acid. Therefore, in order to meet this need, further studies which will yield to the maximum citric acid production should be performed by utilizing waste carbon sources and by using new low- cost but high citric acid-producing strains.