Rhodotorula glutinis

Rhodotorula glutinis is a species of oleaginous yeast that belongs to the Basidiomycota phylum. It is commonly found in various environments, including soil, water, plants, and air. Rhodotorula glutinis is known for its distinct pink to orange-colored colonies, which can be observed on agar plates.

This yeast species is considered non-pathogenic and has been extensively studied for its biotechnological applications. It has gained attention in recent years due to its ability to produce various valuable compounds and its potential in bioremediation processes.

Fermentation

Fermentation of the yeast has been explored in terms of fatty acid production under nitrogen-limiting conditions (Granger et al., 1992). When the nitrogen to carbon ratio (N/C) is less than 0.14g/g it produces an enhanced fatty acid (FA) content but a reduction in the amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Fatty acid productivity was at its maximum when the N/C ratio was 0.025. When nitrogen is non-limiting in concentration, the cells can be grown at lower temperatures with higher PUFA content. The maximal productivity of α-linolenic acid was possible when the temperature of the fermentation was shifted from 30° C to 25° C.

It has also been grown on blackstrap molasses in a two-stage continuous culture (Almazan et al., 1981). In the latter example, the dilution rate in the second stage produced a final product of 30% protein and 28% of fat.

One of the notable features of Rhodotorula glutinis is its ability to produce carotenoids, which are natural pigments with antioxidant properties. These pigments give the yeast its characteristic pink to orange color. Carotenoids produced by Rhodotorula glutinis, such as β-carotene, astaxanthin, and canthaxanthin, have attracted interest due to their potential applications in food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics industries.

Rhodotorula glutinis is also known for its ability to accumulate lipids, particularly oleaginous yeasts. It can store large amounts of lipids, making it a promising candidate for the production of biodiesel and other lipid-based products. The yeast can utilize a wide range of carbon sources, including glucose, xylose, and glycerol, for lipid accumulation.

In addition to carotenoid and lipid production, Rhodotorula glutinis has shown potential in the field of bioremediation. It has the ability to degrade various pollutants, including hydrocarbons, dyes, and heavy metals. This characteristic makes it a potential candidate for the bioremediation of contaminated environments.

Research on Rhodotorula glutinis is ongoing, focusing on optimizing its growth conditions, improving its production capabilities, and understanding its metabolic pathways. Genetic engineering techniques are also being explored to enhance the yeast’s capabilities for specific applications.

Overall, Rhodotorula glutinis is a versatile yeast species with significant biotechnological potential. Its ability to produce carotenoids, accumulate lipids, and degrade pollutants makes it an attractive candidate for various industrial and environmental applications. Continued research and development in this field are expected to unlock further potential and widen the range of applications for this yeast species.

References

Almazan, O., Klibansky, M., & Otero, M. A. (1981). Microbial fat synthesis by Rhodotorula glutinis from blackstrap molasses in continuous culture. Biotechnology Letters, 3, pp. 663-666.

Granger, L. M., Perlot, P., Goma, G., & Pareilleux, A. (1992). Kinetics of growth and fatty acid production of Rhodotorula glutinis. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 37, pp. 13-17