ACYL-COA OXIDASE, A KEY STEP FOR LACTONE PRODUCTION BY YARROWIA-LIPOLYTICA

gamma-Decalactone is a peachy aroma compound resulting from the peroxi somal P-oxidation of ricinoleic acid by yeasts. During this oxidation, the action of acyl-CoA oxidase is fundamental. In Yarrowia lipolytica , it was shown, using conserved blocks, that five acyl-CoA-oxidase gen es (ACO1 to ACO5) were present. In order to investigate the role of ea ch ACO isozymes, mono-disrupted strains were constructed (Delta acol t o Delta aco5). The acyl-CoA activity was measured for each strain show ing that a long-chain oxidase was encoded by ACO2 and a short one by A CO3. Lactone production, for its part, was increased for Delta aco3 an d, to a lesser extend, for Delta aco5 whereas lactone consumption was higher for Delta aco4. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reser ved.