Oleaginous yeast represents a promising biotechnological platform for the sustainable production of
bio-oil, an alternative to fossil-derived fuels. These microorganisms can accumulate lipids up to 20–
70% of their dry cell weight, primarily in the form of triacylglycerols that are structurally similar to
plant and animal oils. Among them, certain species exhibit distinctive red or pink pigmentation and
are collectively referred to as red yeasts. These yeasts not only synthesize significant amounts of
storage lipids but also produce valuable carotenoid pigments such as β-carotene, torulene, and
torularhodin. The dual ability to generate bio-oil and natural pigments provides a unique advantage
for developing integrated bioprocesses. Furthermore, red yeasts can efficiently utilize low-cost and
renewable substrates, including agro-industrial residues and food waste, thereby reducing production
costs and supporting waste valorization. Advances in metabolic engineering, fermentation
optimization, and waste valorization are further expanding their potential for large-scale lipid
synthesis. Consequently, red yeast provides a robust and sustainable platform for bio-oil and bio
pigment production, aligning with global efforts toward renewable energy and reduced carbon
emissions.

Keywords: Lipid accumulation, natural pigment, red yeast, sustainability

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1. Mota MN, Múgica P, Sá-Correia I. Exploring yeast diversity to produce lipid-based biofuels from agro-forestry and industrial organic residues. Journal of Fungi. 2022 Jun 29;8(7):687.
2. Kumar KK, Deeba F, Pandey AK, Islam A, Paul D, Gaur NA. Sustainable lipid production by oleaginous yeasts: Current outlook and challenges. Bioresour Technol. 2025;421:132205. 3. Ageitos JM, Vallejo JA, Veiga-Crespo P, Villa TG. Oily yeasts as oleaginous cell factories. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2011;90(4):1219–1227. 4. Němcová A, Szotkowski M, Samek O, Cagáňová L, Sipiczki M, Márová I. Use of waste substrates for lipid production by yeasts of the genus Metschnikowia: Screening study. Microorganisms. 2021;9(11):2295. 5. Warke M, Pawar P, Kothari S, Odaneth A, Lali A. Two stage approach for microbial oil production using Yarrowia lipolytica NCIM 3590. Adv Biotechnol Microbiol. 2017;5(1):555652. 6. Banerjee S, Dien BS, Eilts KK, Sacks EJ, Singh V. Pilot-scale processing of Miscanthus x giganteus for recovery of anthocyanins integrated with production of microbial lipids and lignin-rich residue. Chemical Engineering Journal. 2024 Apr 1;485:150117. 7. Pleissner D, Kwan TH, Lin CSK. Fungal hydrolysis in submerged fermentation for food waste treatment and fermentation feedstock preparation. Bioresour Technol. 2014;158:48–54. 8.  Bernard A, Rossignol T, Park YK. Biotechnological approaches for producing natural pigments in yeasts. Trends Biotechnol. 2024;42(12):1644–1662. 9. Lin X, Yang F, Zhou Y, Zhu Z, Jin G, Zhang S, et al. Highly efficient colony PCR method for red yeasts and its application to identify mutations within two leucine auxotroph mutants. Yeast. 2012;29(10):439–447. 10. Daliri EBM, Lee BH. Current Trends and Future Perspectives on Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals. Microbiology Monographs. 2015;221–44. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/300128467_Current_Trends_and_Future_Perspectives_on_Functional_Foods_and_Nutraceuticals.

Oleaginous yeast represents a promising biotechnological platform for the sustainable production of
bio-oil, an alternative to fossil-derived fuels. These microorganisms can accumulate lipids up to 20–
70% of their dry cell weight, primarily in the form of triacylglycerols that are structurally similar to
plant and animal oils. Among them, certain species exhibit distinctive red or pink pigmentation and
are collectively referred to as red yeasts. These yeasts not only synthesize significant amounts of
storage lipids but also produce valuable carotenoid pigments such as β-carotene, torulene, and
torularhodin. The dual ability to generate bio-oil and natural pigments provides a unique advantage
for developing integrated bioprocesses. Furthermore, red yeasts can efficiently utilize low-cost and
renewable substrates, including agro-industrial residues and food waste, thereby reducing production
costs and supporting waste valorization. Advances in metabolic engineering, fermentation
optimization, and waste valorization are further expanding their potential for large-scale lipid
synthesis. Consequently, red yeast provides a robust and sustainable platform for bio-oil and bio
pigment production, aligning with global efforts toward renewable energy and reduced carbon
emissions.

Keywords: Lipid accumulation, natural pigment, red yeast, sustainability

🔒 This is a subscription article

Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.

1. Mota MN, Múgica P, Sá-Correia I. Exploring yeast diversity to produce lipid-based biofuels from agro-forestry and industrial organic residues. Journal of Fungi. 2022 Jun 29;8(7):687.
2. Kumar KK, Deeba F, Pandey AK, Islam A, Paul D, Gaur NA. Sustainable lipid production by oleaginous yeasts: Current outlook and challenges. Bioresour Technol. 2025;421:132205. 3. Ageitos JM, Vallejo JA, Veiga-Crespo P, Villa TG. Oily yeasts as oleaginous cell factories. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2011;90(4):1219–1227. 4. Němcová A, Szotkowski M, Samek O, Cagáňová L, Sipiczki M, Márová I. Use of waste substrates for lipid production by yeasts of the genus Metschnikowia: Screening study. Microorganisms. 2021;9(11):2295. 5. Warke M, Pawar P, Kothari S, Odaneth A, Lali A. Two stage approach for microbial oil production using Yarrowia lipolytica NCIM 3590. Adv Biotechnol Microbiol. 2017;5(1):555652. 6. Banerjee S, Dien BS, Eilts KK, Sacks EJ, Singh V. Pilot-scale processing of Miscanthus x giganteus for recovery of anthocyanins integrated with production of microbial lipids and lignin-rich residue. Chemical Engineering Journal. 2024 Apr 1;485:150117. 7. Pleissner D, Kwan TH, Lin CSK. Fungal hydrolysis in submerged fermentation for food waste treatment and fermentation feedstock preparation. Bioresour Technol. 2014;158:48–54. 8.  Bernard A, Rossignol T, Park YK. Biotechnological approaches for producing natural pigments in yeasts. Trends Biotechnol. 2024;42(12):1644–1662. 9. Lin X, Yang F, Zhou Y, Zhu Z, Jin G, Zhang S, et al. Highly efficient colony PCR method for red yeasts and its application to identify mutations within two leucine auxotroph mutants. Yeast. 2012;29(10):439–447. 10. Daliri EBM, Lee BH. Current Trends and Future Perspectives on Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals. Microbiology Monographs. 2015;221–44. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/300128467_Current_Trends_and_Future_Perspectives_on_Functional_Foods_and_Nutraceuticals.