Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Qian Lu, Chunyang Ma, Lei Guo, Yujie Lu, Huankai Li
Summary: Simultaneous inoculation of microalgae and yeast is the optimal strategy for utilizing starch processing effluent for biofuel feedstock production. Under the optimal conditions, the lipid yield and carbon-conversion ratio of the co-fermentation reached 1.81 g/L and 82.53%, respectively, which were higher than those of the monoculture model. Co-fermentation of microalgae and yeast in starch processing effluent is a promising and applicable strategy for wastewater remediation and low-cost biofuel feedstock production.
FERMENTATION-BASEL
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Atrayee Chattopadhyay, Mohor Mitra, Mrinal K. Maiti
Summary: Research is currently focusing on several nonconventional oleaginous yeast species for developing renewable and sustainable biolipid feedstock. Significant progress has been made in recent years in understanding metabolic pathways, implementing engineering strategies, and improving genetic tools for various yeast genera, which will benefit future studies in strain improvement and metabolic engineering for enhanced lipid production.
BIOTECHNOLOGY ADVANCES
(2021)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Zhiqiang Wen, Naief H. Al Makishah
Summary: Microbial lipids, as important chemical raw materials and potential nutritional supplements, play a crucial role in economic development, food security, and energy security. Oleaginous yeasts, compared with non-natural hosts, show significant advantages in lipid yield and productivity, making them a promising candidate for genetic engineering into an oil cell factory. However, the lack of genetic manipulation tools has been a major bottleneck. The rapid development of synthetic biology and the application of CRISPR/Cas systems in gene editing have revolutionized the field, providing new approaches and resources.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Sebastien Le Guellec, Elodie Leroy, Damien Courtine, Anne Godfroy, Erwan G. Roussel
Summary: This study focuses on a group of microorganisms, including 12 strains of Thermococcales, which can grow without sulfur while depending on H-2 and producing formate. The ability to tolerate H-2 is associated with specific gene clusters that code for enzymes and transport proteins related to formate production. Through thermodynamic equilibrium and experimental data, it has been shown that H-2-dependent CO2 reduction to formate can occur at a wide range of temperatures in different hydrothermal systems.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Xiaolei Zhang, Lu Liu, Juan Peng, Fang Yuan, Ji Li, Jiawen Wang, Jiaxin Chen, Hongjie Wang, R. D. Tyagi
Summary: The study found that Cd2+ had a significant impact on lipid accumulation in Lipomyces starkeyi, while other metals had minimal effects. Removing metals from municipal wastewater sludge reduced lipid accumulation, possibly because some metals can enhance lipid accumulation.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Zeynep Efsun Duman-Ozdamar, Vitor A. P. Martins Dos Santos, Jeroen Hugenholtz, Maria Suarez-Diez
Summary: Replacing palm oil with oils produced by microbes through the conversion of sustainable feedstocks is a promising alternative, but major technical challenges must be overcome. In this study, the authors cultivated two yeasts and determined the optimal C/N ratio and temperature for maximum oil production. They also demonstrated the impact of C/N ratio and temperature on lipid accumulation and fatty acid composition, highlighting the potential for tailored fatty acid production.
MICROBIAL CELL FACTORIES
(2022)
Article
Mycology
Rujiralai Poontawee, Wanlapa Lorliam, Pirapan Polburee, Savitree Limtong
Summary: Microbial lipids, also known as microbial oils or single cell oils (SCOs), are promising sources for various oil industries. High-quality and high-quantity lipid production from oleaginous yeast strains has attracted significant attention for biodiesel, oleochemicals, and other valuable lipid products. Screening methods, including colorimetric or fluorometric measures, have been developed to explore yeasts with high lipid production. Understanding the fatty acid composition profiles can help in defining target lipid-related products. The use of low-cost substrates and efficient cultivation processes are crucial for increasing lipid yield and reducing production costs.
FUNGAL BIOLOGY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Km Sartaj, Shweta Tripathi, Alok Patel, Krishna Mohan Poluri, Ramasare Prasad
Summary: In this study, the halotolerance behavior and carbon flux channelization of a marine red yeast Rhodotorula glutinis ISO A1 cultivated under combinations of artificial seawater and sewage wastewater were investigated to enhance lipid synthesis. The cells grown in 25% artificial seawater showed 1.4-fold higher lipid yield than glucose synthetic medium and exhibited metabolic rewiring to produce neutral lipids. The study revealed the interplay of various metabolites and the active yeast defence network in response to saline stress.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Mikolaj Chmielarz, Johanna Blomqvist, Sabine Sampels, Mats Sandgren, Volkmar Passoth
Summary: This study tested the ability of oleaginous yeasts to utilize crude glycerol and hemicellulose hydrolysate as carbon sources, finding that only a few strains were able to convert them into microbial lipids. Mixing crude glycerol and hemicellulose hydrolysate stimulated lipid accumulation in R. toruloides and R. glutinis, resulting in a shorter fermentation time to reach maximum lipid concentration.
BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Sirawich Sapsirisuk, Pirapan Polburee, Wanlapa Lorliam, Savitree Limtong
Summary: This study discovered oleaginous yeast species from northern Thailand and identified their species and lipid content. Some of these species have never been reported as oleaginous yeasts before, which opens up new possibilities for research and development of lipid synthesis.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Zhijia Liu, Corjan van den Berg, Ruud A. Weusthuis, Giuliano Dragone, Solange Mussatto
Summary: The study proposes a new strategy for simultaneous recovery and further separation of lipids and carotenoids from oleaginous yeast to decrease processing costs and support industrial applications. Using Rhodosporidium toruloides NRRL Y-1091 strain, the method allowed for high efficiency extraction with additional recovery of proteins.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Wei Wang, Meng-Ying Li, Shuang-Guo Zhu, Aziz Khan, Xiu-Ping Tao, Hai-Ying Liu, Wei Zhang, Hong-Yan Tao, Dong-Shan Gong, Chao Song, You-Cai Xiong
Summary: Reducing carbon emissions and nitrogen input in agroecosystems is crucial under changing climates. Introducing crop diversity and plant-plant interactions can potentially achieve this goal. However, the mechanisms behind these processes are not well understood. A two-year field study was conducted to examine the effects of intercropping systems on land equivalent ratio (LER), nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), carbon emission, and soil properties. The results showed that intercropping with soybean increased system productivity through facilitation, while maize-wheat intercropping led to interspecific competition. The productivity of monoculture wheat or maize was promoted with increasing nitrogen rates, but interspecific facilitation maintained similar productivity levels. Interspecific facilitation also enhanced carbon emissions through improved root input, microbial activities, and decomposition enzyme activities. Overall, plant facilitation improved crop productivity and carbon emission efficiency by reducing nitrogen input.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuanyuan Yang, Cejun Hu, Jieqiong Shan, Chuanqi Cheng, Lili Han, Xinzhe Li, Ruguang Wang, Wei Xie, Yao Zheng, Tao Ling
Summary: Electrocatalytic activation/reduction of N-2 on X/Fe-N-C (X=Pd, Ir and Pt) dual-atom catalysts under ambient condition has been achieved. It has been found that local hydrogen radical (H*) generated on the X site can participate in the activation/reduction of N-2 adsorbed on the Fe site. The reactivity of X/Fe-N-C catalysts for N-2 activation/reduction can be adjusted by the activity of H* generated on the X site, specifically the interaction between the X-H bond. Pd/Fe dual-atom site with the most active H* promotes the turnover frequency of N-2 reduction by up to 10 times compared to the pristine Fe site.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Tan Liu, Zhihui Chen, Yunhua Xiao, Mingmin Yuan, Chenkai Zhou, Gang Liu, Jun Fang, Bo Yang
Summary: Nitrogen limitation and starvation can increase the lipid content of microalgal cells but decrease biomass productivity, pigment concentration, and protein content. Three-day nitrogen starvation is a suitable strategy to produce lipid-rich biomass and causes changes in cell morphology. Saturated fatty acids dominate, making microalgae a potential feedstock for biodiesel production.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wannapawn Watsuntorn, Nuttha Chuengcharoenphanich, Poompat Niltaya, Cheryanus Butkumchote, Monnat Theerachat, Chompunuch Glinwong, Wei Qi, Zhongming Wang, Warawut Chulalaksananukul
Summary: The study identified a novel Saccharomyces cerevisiae CU-TPD4 isolate from coconut waste residues in Thailand, which was confirmed to be oleaginous yeast with high lipid content. Through optimized growth conditions, the lipid yield of CU-TPD4 was significantly increased, making it a promising candidate for biodiesel production.
Editorial Material
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Peng Xu, Monireh Marsafari, Jian Zha, Mattheos Koffas
TRENDS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Yang Gu, Jingbo Ma, Yonglian Zhu, Peng Xu
ACS SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY
(2020)
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Monireh Marsafari, Jingbo Ma, Mattheos Koffas, Peng Xu
CURRENT OPINION IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Peng Xu
Summary: Researchers have formulated unstructured kinetic models to quantitatively capture the dynamic interactions in microbial consortia, finding that only parasitism, commensalism, and cooperation can lead to stable coexisting states. They have also identified the optimal social interaction criteria for microbial coculture and the accumulation and formation of metabolic intermediates in different species using specific equations.
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Yingjia Tong, Jingwen Zhou, Liang Zhang, Peng Xu
Summary: Violacein, a naturally occurring anticancer therapeutic compound, was produced in Y. lipolytica using a library of strains constructed with Golden Gate assembly method. Gene expression analysis revealed that strong expression of VioB, VioC, and VioD favored violacein production, while weak expression of VioD was associated with high deoxyviolacein production. By optimizing culture conditions, violacein reached a maximum of 70.04 mg/L with 5.28 mg/L of deoxyviolacein in shake flasks.
ACS SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Xueliang Qiu, Yang Gu, Guocheng Du, Juan Zhang, Peng Xu, Jianghua Li
Summary: By adaptive evolution and transcriptome analysis, a thermotolerant strain Y. lipolytica BBE-18 was obtained, with four genes responsible for the complex thermotolerant phenotype identified. This study is the first to introduce a heat-resistant phenotype to Y. lipolytica, resulting in increased erythritol production.
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zheng Peng, Peng Xu, Yang Song, Guocheng Du, Juan Zhang, Jian Chen
Summary: The study identified the crucial role of metabolic activity in living cells for keratinase-catalyzed keratin hydrolysis, uncovering the mechanism involving sulfite and cysteine. Loading a self-circulation synergistic catalysis system into cells significantly enhanced keratinase's hydrolysis capacity. This work provides insight into improving keratinase efficiency through engineered strains.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Md Sadique Hasan, Monireh Marsafari, Michael Tolosa, Abhay Andar, Sai Sathish Ramamurthy, Xudong Ge, Yordan Kostov, Govind Rao
Summary: A system featuring microfluidics and a multichannel fluorometer has been developed for rapid detection of low-level bioburden. The system utilizes the slope of fluorescence intensity as the criterion for detection and employs a redox indicator dye to monitor viable cell presence. The system shows high sensitivity and applicability in laboratory, pharmaceutical, and field settings.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Yugeng Liu, Peng Xu
Summary: Microorganisms play critical roles in various areas and quantitative and analytical tools are crucial for studying their dynamics. The combined reductionist and holistic approach is important for understanding the rules and dynamics of microbial communities.
CURRENT OPINION IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Yi Zeng, Yuxiang Hong, Fidelis Azi, Yugeng Liu, Yousheng Chen, Chuchu Guo, Dewei Lin, Zizhao Wu, Wenhao Chen, Peng Xu
Summary: This review discusses the development of efficient genome-editing tools and their application in generating large-scale genetic variants. These tools include traditional recombination-based tools, as well as more advanced CRISPR and RNA-based genome-editing tools. They have been used in strain engineering, biomanufacturing, and biosensing. Genome-editing technologies, along with high-throughput phenotyping and AI-based optimization algorithms, are expected to drive automation and streamline biological engineering, and help address critical challenges in health, environment, energy, and sustainability.
CURRENT OPINION IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Monireh Marsafari, Fidelis Azi, Shaohua Dou, Peng Xu
Summary: By manipulating subcellular localization and metabolic flux in a co-culture system of microbes, the production of Amorphadiene, a precursor to the antimalarial drug artemisinin, can be significantly improved, providing an alternative method for its synthesis.
MICROBIAL CELL FACTORIES
(2022)
Article
Biology
Jingbo Ma, Yang Gu, Peng Xu
Summary: This study reports a systematic approach to improve the biosynthesis of the cannabinoid precursor olivetolic acid in yeast, leading to a significant increase in the production of the acid. The findings provide a baseline for engineering cannabinoids biosynthesis in oleaginous yeast species.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Correction
Biology
Jingbo Ma, Yang Gu, Peng Xu
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Huan Liu, Xiaolan Huang, Yangming Liu, Xinyun Jing, Yuchen Ning, Peng Xu, Li Deng, Fang Wang
Summary: This study addresses the bottleneck of xylose conversion to triacetic acid lactone in yeast through genetic and process engineering strategies, achieving the goal of synthesizing high-value biochemicals from lignocellulose efficiently.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Md Sadique Hasan, Monireh Marsafari, Michael Tolosa, Abhay Andar, Sai Sathish Ramamurthy, Xudong Ge, Yordan Kostov, Govind Rao
Summary: A system featuring microfluidics and a multichannel fluorometer has been developed to detect low-level bioburden. The system allows parallel testing of multiple samples with a low limit of detection. By monitoring the fluorescence intensity, the presence of viable cells can be detected. The system is portable, low-cost, and has high assay sensitivity.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)