Abstract
Bacteria belonging to the Rhodococcus genus are frequent components of microbial communities in diverse natural environments. Some rhodococcal species exhibit the outstanding ability to produce significant amounts of triacylglycerols (TAG) (>20% of cellular dry weight) in the presence of an excess of the carbon source and limitation of the nitrogen source. For this reason, they can be considered as oleaginous microorganisms. As occurs as well in eukaryotic single-cell oil (SCO) producers, these bacteria possess specific physiological properties and molecular mechanisms that differentiate them from other microorganisms unable to synthesize TAG. In this review, we summarized several of the well-characterized molecular mechanisms that enable oleaginous rhodococci to produce significant amounts of SCO. Furthermore, we highlighted the ability of these microorganisms to degrade a wide range of carbon sources coupled to lipogenesis. The qualitative and quantitative oil production by rhodococci from diverse industrial wastes has also been included. Finally, we summarized the genetic and metabolic approaches applied to oleaginous rhodococci to improve SCO production. This review provides a comprehensive and integrating vision on the potential of oleaginous rhodococci to be considered as microbial biofactories for microbial oil production.
Highlights
Some eukaryotic microorganisms, such as fungi, microalgae, and yeasts, can be considered oleaginous species because they are able to produce more than 20% of triacylglycerols (TAG) [1]
Available information indicated that oleaginous rhodococci are important components of bacterial communities that actively participate in the recycling dynamics of matter in a variety of natural environments
The repertoire of rhodococcal genes, which includes an extraordinary diversity of genes devoted to the degradation of a wide range of organic compounds, and numerous genes involved in lipid metabolism are key properties that promote their survival and persistence in various environments
Summary
Some eukaryotic microorganisms, such as fungi, microalgae, and yeasts, can be considered oleaginous species because they are able to produce more than 20% (of cellular dry weight, CDW) of triacylglycerols (TAG) [1] They exhibit some differential metabolic features compared to non-oleaginous related species, such as a high flux of acetyl-CoA and NADPH to fatty acid and TAG biosynthetic pathways during the cultivation of cells under nitrogen-limiting conditions in the presence of an excess of the carbon source [2]. These oleaginous microorganisms have been considered as alternative sources of single-cell oils (SCO) with potential applications in the industry. This review provides a conceptual framework connecting the results of different studies for the elaboration of an unified and integrated view on the potential of oleaginous rhodococci as platforms for the production of SCO at industrial scale
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