The journey of red yeast Rhodotorula toruloides from laboratory to industrial production

The journey of red yeast Rhodotorula toruloides from laboratory to industrial production

Abstract

Carotenogenic yeasts are present in various natural environments and in many foods and food materials as well. Microbial food cultures have come under various regulatory frameworks during the last decades. To an updated inventory of microorganisms covering a wide range of foods some oleaginous red yeasts were included. Previously, several strains of pigmented yeasts newly recognized as “safe” we have evaluated regarding their biological effects. Present study is focused on complex characterization and large-scale production and processing of enriched red yeast biomass using the yeast strain Rhodotorula toruloides (CCY 0692-002-001) as a microbial cell factory. This yeast is important producer of many physiologically significant metabolites, such as carotenoids, sterols, cofactors, quinones, PUFA, lipids beta-glucans, expo-polysaccharides and proteins. Composition of yeast biomass and distribution of carbon sources inside the cell can be substantially influenced by growth conditions, C/N ration and external stress. Nevertheless, the total sum of lipids and glucans in biomass stays approximately the same at any cultivation conditions. Under cooperation with industrial partner Algae Farm, Ltd., technology transfer to pilot-plant fed-batch production of R.toruloides biomass in 2000L fermenter was realized. Processing of yeast biomass, immortalization and characterization of its components and complex composition was tested. Safety and biological activity testing including probiotic properties, antimicrobial effect against some bacteria and yeast and cytotoxicity tests on human cell lines (HaCaT; CaCo-2) are discussed as well. Based on approval of Czech legal authorities, industrially processed R. toruloides biomass was brought out to market as a food supplement marketed under the commercial name LivelinR. This supplement with optimum composition of valuable metabolites and considerable biological activity can be recommended for daily intake for some population groups to minimize oxidative stress, metabolic disorders, immunity disbalance and biological senescence.

Carotenogenic yeasts are present in various natural environments and in many foods and food materials as well. Microbial food cultures have come under various regulatory frameworks during the last decades. To an updated inventory of microorganisms covering a wide range of foods some oleaginous red yeasts were included. Previously, several strains of pigmented yeasts newly recognized as “safe” we have evaluated regarding their biological effects. Present study is focused on complex characterization and large-scale production and processing of enriched red yeast biomass using the yeast strain Rhodotorula toruloides (CCY 0692-002-001) as a microbial cell factory. This yeast is important producer of many physiologically significant metabolites, such as carotenoids, sterols, cofactors, quinones, PUFA, lipids beta-glucans, expo-polysaccharides and proteins. Composition of yeast biomass and distribution of carbon sources inside the cell can be substantially influenced by growth conditions, C/N ration and external stress. Nevertheless, the total sum of lipids and glucans in biomass stays approximately the same at any cultivation conditions. Under cooperation with industrial partner Algae Farm, Ltd., technology transfer to pilot-plant fed-batch production of R.toruloides biomass in 2000L fermenter was realized. Processing of yeast biomass, immortalization and characterization of its components and complex composition was tested. Safety and biological activity testing including probiotic properties, antimicrobial effect against some bacteria and yeast and cytotoxicity tests on human cell lines (HaCaT; CaCo-2) are discussed as well. Based on approval of Czech legal authorities, industrially processed R. toruloides biomass was brought out to market as a food supplement marketed under the commercial name LivelinR. This supplement with optimum composition of valuable metabolites and considerable biological activity can be recommended for daily intake for some population groups to minimize oxidative stress, metabolic disorders, immunity disbalance and biological senescence.

carotenogenic yeasts, Rhodotorula toruloides, microbial cell factory, biomass

carotenogenic yeasts, Rhodotorula toruloides, microbial cell factory, biomass

MÁROVÁ, I.; HOLUB, J.; OBRAČAJ, J.; KUBALOVÁ, M.

01.09.2025

ICY, University of Warsaw

Polsko

Book of Abstracts, ISSY38

první

1

175

175

ISSY38_Abstract book_final