Objective: To improve the production of trans-10,cis-12-conjugated linoleic acid (t10,c12-CLA) from linoleic acid in recombinant Yarrowia lipolytica.
Results: Cells of the yeast were permeabilized by freeze/thawing. The optimal conditions for t10,c12-CLA production by the permeabilized cells were at 28 °C, pH 7, 200 rpm with 1.5 g sodium acetate l-1, 100 g wet cells l-1, and 25 g LA l-1. Under these conditions, the permeabilized cells produced 15.6 g t10,c12-CLA l-1 after 40 h, with a conversion yield of 62 %. The permeabilized cells could be used repeatedly for three cycles, with the t10,c12-CLA extracellular production remaining above 10 g l-1.
Conclusion: Synthesis of t10,c12-CLA was achieved using a novel method, and the production reported in this work is the highest value reported to date.
Keywords: Linoleic acid; Permeabilizated cells; Reuse; Whole-cell catalysis; Yarrowia lipolytica; trans-10,cis-12-conjugated linoleic acid.