Evaluation of Various Factors Affecting Bioconversion of l-Tyrosine to l-DOPA by Yeast Yarrowia lipolytica-NCIM 3450 Using Response Surface Methodology

Abstract 3,4-Dihydroxy l-phenylalanine (l-DOPA) is considered a potent drug for the treatment of Parkinson disease. Physical and nutritional parameters where optimized by using Yarrowia lipolytica-NCIM 3450 to accomplished the highest production of l-DOPA. Screenings of critical components were completed by using a Plackett–Burman design, while further optimization was carried out using the Box–Behnken design. The optimized factor levels predicted by the model were pH 6.1, 1.659 g L−1 yeast extract, 1.491 g L−1l-tyrosine and 0.0290 g L−1 CuSO4. The predicted yield of l-DOPA with these levels was 1.319 g L−1, while actual yield obtained was 1.273 g L−1. The statistical analysis revealed that model is significant with F value 19.55 and R2 value 0.9514. This process resulted in a 3.594-fold increase in the yield of l-DOPA. l-DOPA was confirmed by HPTLC and HPLC analysis. Thus, Yarrowia lipolytica-NCIM 3450 has potential to be a new source for the production of l-DOPA.