Objective To produce delta-decalactone from linoleic acid by one-pot reaction using linoleate 13-hydratase with supplementation with whole Yarrowia lipolytica cells. Results Whole Y. lipolytica cells at 25 g l(-1) produced1.9 g l(-1) delta-decalactone from 7.5 g 13-hydroxy-9(Z)-octadecenoic acid l(-1) at pH 7.5 and 30 A degrees C for 21 h. Linoleate 13-hydratase from Lactobacillus acidophilus at 3.5 g l(-1) with supplementation with 25 g Y. lipolytica cells l(-1) in one pot at 3 h produced 1.9 g l(-1) delta-decalactone from 10 g linoleic acid l(-1) via 13-hydroxy-9(Z)-octadecenoic acid intermediate at pH 7.5 and 30A degrees C after 18 h, with a molar conversion yield of 31 % and productivity of 106 mg l(-1) h(-1). Conclusion To the best of our knowledge, this is the first production of delta-decalactone using unsaturated fatty acid.