Rhodotorula mucilaginosa-alternative sources of natural carotenoids, lipids, and enzymes for industrial use

Abstract

Biotechnologically useful yeast strains have been receiving important attention worldwide for the demand of a wide range of industries. Rhodotorula mucilaginosa is recognized as a biotechnologically important yeast that has gained great interest as a promising platform strain, owing to the diverse substrate appetites, robust stress resistance, and other gratifying features. Due to its attractive properties, R. mucilaginosa has been regarded as an excellent candidate for the biorefinery of carotenoids, lipids, enzymes, and other functional bioproducts by utilizing low-cost agricultural waste materials as substrates. These compounds have aroused great interest as the potential alternative sources of health-promoting food products, substrates for so-called third-generation biodiesel, and dyes or functional ingredients for cosmetics. Furthermore, the use of R. mucilaginosa has rapidly increased as a result of advancements in fermentation for enhanced production of these valuable bioactive compounds. This review focuses on R. mucilaginosa in these advancements and summarizes its potential prospects as alternative sources of natural bioproducts.

Keywords: Biotechnological yeast; Carotenoids; Enzymes; Industrial usage; Lipids; Rhodotorula mucilaginosa.

Figure 1

Chemical structures of major carotenoids biosynthesis by Rhodotorula species. Groups of different carotenoids are boxed in color (A) β-carotene; (B) Torulene; (C) Torularhodin.

Figure 2

Integrated metabolic pathways for biotechnology in Rhodotorula species. Metabolic pathways are depicted, along with the metabolites and enzymes. Abbreviations are used for the generally used names of metabolites and enzymes. Endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria are also mentioned as cellular compartments. Metabolites with red-dotted lines represent prospective products to target in future methodologies.