A new two-step process of production of succinic acid (SA) has been developed, which includes the microbial synthesis of alpha-ketoglutaric acid by the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica (step 1) and subsequent oxidation of the acid by hydrogen peroxide to SA (step 2). The maximum concentration of SA and its yield were found to be 63.4 g l(-1) and 58% of the ethanol consumed, respectively. The purity of the SA isolated from the culture liquid filtrate reached 100%. The yield of SA was as high as 82% of its amount in the culture liquid filtrate. The quality of the SA produced by the invented method meets the biochemical grade definitions, as is evident from the respiratory and other relevant parameters of rat liver mitochondria upon the oxidation of this SA.