Application of Yarrowia lipolytica in fermented beverages

Yarrowia lipolytica is a non-conventional non-pathogenic, generally regarded as safe yeast. It has been isolated from a wide variety of places, from foodstuffs like beer, cheese and sausages to beetle guts and human mouths. It is strictly aerobic and Crabtree-negative. Y. lipolytica harbours various biochemical and physiological traits that make it relevant for biotechnological and food-related applications. Until recently, the application and effect of Y. lipolytica on lipid-containing foodstuff, that is, meat and dairy, have been researched and discussed meticulously. The yeasts’ potential as a synthesiser of several high-value food ingredients, such as organic acids, aromas, and emulsifiers from a range of diverse substrates, from ethanol to olive oil waste, is of interest in a biorefinery context. Interestingly the use of Y. lipolytica as a starter culture in foodstuffs beyond meat and dairy is minimal, despite its ability to synthesise interesting aromas and organic acids that could increase the organoleptic quality of fermented beverages. Besides the indulgence factor, Y. lipolytica synthesises a wide range of functional and bioactive compounds that can act as active ingredients in functional beverages, adding to its potential in producing novel beverages.