Decalactone production from ricinoleic acid biotransformation by Yarrowia lipolytica has drawn the attention of many authors and, in the last years, molecular and physiological developments were made through the use of engineered strains in novel culture conditions. The purpose of this work was to monitor the performance of modified Y. lipolytica strains in the lipid metabolism specifically at the β-oxidation pathway (MTLY40-2P strain, disrupted in the genes POX2-5 and with Aox2p expressed) or at the triglyceride hydrolysis (JMY3010 strain, Lip2 overexpression) using castor oil as substrate, in a lab-scale bioreactor. Using step-wise fed-batch cultures of MTLY40-2P strain, a γ-decalactone concentration of 7 g L-1 was reached. γ-Decalactone reconsumption was prevented and hydroxylactone production was reduced by Y. lipolytica MTLY40-2P strain. Moreover, substantial increase in the initial rate of aroma production was obtained with strain overexpressing Lip2 gene due to the fast hydrolysis of castor oil.