A comparison of metabolic engineering strategies applied in Yarrowia lipolytica for β-carotene production

Abstract

With a better understanding of the health benefits of beta-carotene, the precursor of vitamin A, as well as its coloring property, the need for this carotenoid has increased in various sectors. In order to meet the increasing demand efficiently, cheaply, and sustainably, interest in heterologous beta-carotene production through metabolic engineering strategies has increased in recent years. In this context, although it is not a native producer of beta-carotene, Yarrowia lipolytica yeast stands out due to its metabolic, physiological, and genomic properties. Successful results have been obtained by using a series of engineering strategies, including biosynthesis pathway engineering, morphological engineering, and fermentation engineering strategies, in the production of heterologous beta-carotene from Y. lipolytica. However, these strategies have various strengths and weaknesses against each other, and there are also some points open to improvement. In this review, the engineering strategies that have been applied and have the potential to be applied for the production of beta-carotene from Y. lipolytica have been examined in depth, including their advantages and disadvantages, and compared with each other. Moreover, a future perspective has been presented to increase the potential of using Y. lipolytica yeast as a cell factory in beta-carotene production.