Bioproduction of 2-Phenylethanol by <i>Yarrowia lipolytica</i> on Sugar Beet Molasses as a Low-Cost Substrate

2-phenylethanol (2-PE) is a valuable aromatic alcohol with diverse applications in cosmetics, food, beverages, and pharmaceutical industries. Currently, 2-PE is produced either through chemical synthesis or by extraction from plant materials. However, both conventional production methods have their own limitations. Therefore, there is a need for more eco-friendly and cost-effective approaches to produce natural 2-PE. Biotechnological routes, particularly microbial fermentations, hold promise for natural 2-PE production, especially when using low-cost substrates. In this study, 2-PE was produced by de novo synthesis via the shikimate pathway, using the yeast <i>Yarrowia lipolytica</i> in a medium composed of sugar beet molasses (SBM) and yeast extract (YE) as carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. A genetically engineered strain was generated, in which the <i>SUC2</i> gene was transformed, expressing the invertase enzyme, enabling <i>Y. lipolytica</i> to efficiently utilize SBM as a cost-effective substrate. A central composite design allowed for the optimization of the concentrations of the carbon and nitrogen sources, resulting in approximately 0.71 g_(2-PE)/L_{(culture medium)}. The results obtained highlight the potential of utilizing SBM as a low-cost substrate for 2-PE production, advancing biotechnological approaches in fragrance synthesis.