Lipids play pivotal roles in yeast stress resistance, fermentation performance, and aroma formation. While fatty acid and sterol metabolism are documented, the fate of the broader lipidome during wine fermentation has been less investigated. We used targeted lipidomics to investigate lipid consumption kinetics in Chardonnay and Gewürztraminer musts fermented by three Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains (CX9, Fermol, and Finesse). We demonstrate that yeasts consume a broad range of exogenous lipids, including complex lipids like diglycerides and sterol esters, earlier than previously reported. The levels of 66 lipid species changed significantly during fermentation, with 21 species disappearing completely. This decrease was primarily driven by metabolic consumption; however, we also provided direct experimental evidence distinguishing passive adsorption from active uptake. We quantified the functional requirements for lipid uptake in oenological conditions: Free Fatty Acid (FFA) needs were matrix-dependent, whereas the phytosterol average specific consumption rate (6.73 ± 2.48 mg/L/10⁸ cells) was relatively constant across strains and musts. Finally, we observed that lipid consumption profiles were strongly correlated with their initial abundance in the must. Our results demonstrate that yeast lipid demand involves a wider diversity of molecules than previously thought, providing precise metrics to optimize nutrient supplementation strategies and improve yeast strain selection.

The rapid global expansion of aquaculture has intensified the demand for sustainable and alternative lipid sources for fish feed formulations, driving interest in microbial platforms with specialized metabolic capabilities. Among these, oleaginous yeasts have emerged as promising candidates due to their ability to accumulate substantial intracellular lipid reserves and to modulate fatty acid composition in response to environmental and nutritional cues. In this study, the lipid production potential and physiological responses of two native yeast strains isolated from volcanic soils of southern Chile were investigated. The strains were identified by ITS sequencing as Solicoccozyma gelidoterrea (7C) and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa (Rho 6S). Growth kinetics, substrate utilization, and lipid accumulation were systematically evaluated under different carbon sources, carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratios, and temperature regimes (7-25 °C). Response surface methodology was applied to determine the combined effects of nutritional and thermal factors on biomass production and lipid yield, while fatty acid composition was analyzed to elucidate lipid remodeling strategies. R. mucilaginosa exhibited pronounced metabolic versatility, characterized by higher maximum specific growth rates on alternative carbon sources such as xylose, sucrose, and raffinose. Under optimal conditions (25 °C and C/N 20), this strain achieved a lipid content of 30% and a biomass concentration of 2.54 g/L. In contrast, S. gelidoterrea displayed a distinct physiological profile associated with cold adaptation, reaching optimal lipid accumulation at 7 °C and C/N 20, with 26.6% lipid content and 2.11 g/L biomass. Increasing the C/N ratio to 90 significantly constrained lipid accumulation in both strains, highlighting the central role of nitrogen availability in regulating yeast lipid metabolism. Fatty acid profiling revealed clear species-specific lipid remodeling patterns: R. mucilaginosa produced a nutritionally favorable lipid profile enriched in mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids, reflected by high MUFA/SAFA and PUFA/SAFA ratios. In contrast, S. gelidoterrea exhibited a distinctive lipid profile dominated by monounsaturated fatty acids, particularly oleic acid, under nitrogen limited and low temperature conditions, and demonstrated the capacity to synthesize long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids under stress conditions, suggesting the activation of adaptive and stress responsive lipid metabolic pathways. This study provides the first evidence of lipid accumulation and fatty acid composition in S. gelidoterrea and puts into evidence contrasting lipid metabolic strategies among native oleaginous yeasts. Collectively, these findings contribute to a deeper understanding of fungal lipid physiology and environmental adaptation and support the potential of native yeast strains as sustainable lipid sources for functional foods and aquaculture nutrition.

Yeast Lipids: Emerging Key Players in Antifungal Resistance and Pathogenesis

In this work we aimed to increase the food potential of UK pasture by coupling targeted mechanochemical processing and novel biotechnology to convert silage into edible protein and lipid fractions. To this end, the water-soluble protein and vitamins were extracted from silage using a twin-screw extruder at room temperature. The extrusion of the silage was optimized in water with no additional chemicals. Under optimal conditions, 22 wt% of the silage was solubilized, with this fraction containing 52% of the protein present from the original material. The protein contained key essential amino acids with a profile similar to soy protein. Vitamins B1, B2, B3 (nicotinamide and nicotinic acid) and B6 (pyridoxine, pyridoxal and pyridoxamine) were also extracted. The resulting solids from the extruder, which contained further insoluble protein and the carbohydrates from the silage, were then depolymerized and used to culture the oleaginous yeast Metschnikowia pulcherrima producing further mycoprotein and lipid from the system. The mycoprotein contained a balanced amount of vital amino acids, while the yeast lipid had a fatty acid profile containing high levels of monounsaturated lipids. The silage was also found to contain high value lipids, rich in omega-6 linolenic acid. The work presented here represents a preliminary study but highlights the possibility of extracting edible nutrients from grass feasibly, with the potential to make UK agriculture far more resilient and sustainable.This article is part of the theme issue ‘Transforming terrestrial food systems for human and planetary health’.

The global oversupply of crude glycerol, a byproduct of biodiesel production, needs innovative strategies for its sustainable utilization. In this study we isolated and characterized oleaginous yeast strains from fruit surfaces in the Brazilian Cerrado biome, a biodiversity hotspot, to assess their potential for converting crude glycerol into microbial lipids suitable for biodiesel. From 150 fruits, 45 yeast strains were isolated, with six identified as oleaginous (intracellular lipids > 20% dry biomass). Molecular identification via ITS and D1/D2 sequencing analysis revealed affiliations withRhodotorula toruloidesandPseudozymaspecies (P. hubeiensis,P. flocculosa,P. rugulosa). Lipid profiling showed predominant fatty acids (palmitic, oleic) aligning with biodiesel standards. Biodiesel properties derived from yeast lipids, including cetane number (58-62), viscosity (3.8-4.2 mm2/s), and density (864-902kg/m3), complied with ASTM D6751 and EN14214 specifications, except for slightly elevated density in one strain. Rhodamine B screening demonstrated higher specificity for oleaginous yeasts compared to Nile Red. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed evolutionary relationships among isolates and type strains. These findings highlight the Cerrado's microbial diversity as a reservoir for robust oleaginous yeasts, offering a dual solution for crude glycerol valorization and sustainable biodiesel production. The study underscores the potential ofPseudozymaspp. andR. toruloidesfor integrated biorefineries, combining lipid production with biosurfactant and enzyme synthesis to enhance economic viability.

Naringin is an antioxidant flavonoid rich in diverse plant species, including citrus plants. While the antioxidant activity of naringin is well documented, there has been limited research on its anti-aging potential. The aim of this study is to investigate the in vivo anti-aging effects of naringin in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model. Our findings showed that naringin substantially increased cell viability during the chronological lifespan of wild-type yeast by mitigating oxidative and apoptotic stress markers. However, naringin did not affect the viability of yeast null mutants lacking antioxidant enzymes (sod2Δ, cta1Δ, ctt1Δ, gpx1Δ, gpx2Δ, gsh1Δ; exceptsod1Δand tsa1Δ), but slightly increased the viability of only pep4Δ and fis1Δ mutants, not mca1Δ. Gene expression results indicate that naringin altered the expression of genes associated with the TORC1 signaling pathway and other anti-aging genes such as SIR2 and ATG1. The study's findings also demonstrate that naringin could not increase cell viability of yeast null mutants lacking signaling pathway genes (tor1Δ, rim15Δ ras2Δ, and atg1Δ), except sch9Δ mutant during CLS. Metabolomic studies suggest that naringin treatment affects the levels of diverse class of metabolites such as amino acids, nucleotides and related compounds, vitamins, carbohydrates, and lipids in stationary phase yeast. Altogether, these findings suggest that naringin might exerts its anti-aging effects via modulating the nutrient sensing TORC1 signaling pathway, paving the way for future research to explore other aging associated gene targets.

Anaerobic conversion of de-oiled yeast biomass fractionation waste to biomethane and biohydrogen for resource efficiency in biorefineries.

Sustainable lipid production by oleaginous yeasts: Current outlook and challenges.

Radiofrequency (RF) heating is a new, less invasive alternative to invasive heating methods that use nanoparticles for tumour therapy. But pinpoint local heating is still hard. Molecular interactions form a hybrid structure with unique electrical characteristics that enable RF heating in this work, which explores RF heating in a biological cell (yeast)-2D FeS2 system. Substantial processes have been uncovered via experimental investigations and density functional theory (DFT) computations. At 3 W and 50 MHz, RF heating reaches 54°C in 40 s, which is enough to kill yeast cells, while current-voltage measurements reveal ionic diode-like properties. Interactions between yeast lipid molecules and 2D FeSk, as shown by density-functional theory calculations, cause an imbalance in the distribution of charges and the creation of polar, conductive channels. Insights into biological heating applications based on radio frequency (RF) technology are offered by this work, which lays forth a framework for investigating 2D material-biomolecule interactions.

Yeast lipid technology for biomass refinery

Homeostasis of cellular membranes is maintained by fine-tuning their lipid composition. Yeast lipid transporter Osh6, belonging to the oxysterol-binding protein-related proteins family, was found to participate in the transport of phosphatidylserine (PS). PS synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum is delivered to the plasma membrane, where it is exchanged for phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PI4P). PI4P provides the driving force for the directed PS transport against its concentration gradient. In this study, we employed an in vitro approach to reconstitute the transport process into the minimalistic system of large unilamellar vesicles to reveal its fundamental biophysical determinants. Our study draws a comprehensive portrait of the interplay between the structure and dynamics of Osh6, the carried cargo lipid, and the physical properties of the involved membranes, with particular attention to the presence of charged lipids and to membrane fluidity. Specifically, we address the role of the cargo lipid, which, by occupying the transporter, imposes changes in its dynamics and, consequently, predisposes the cargo to disembark in the correct target membrane.

This study evaluated the potential of Y. lipolytica (CBS 2075 and DSM 8218) to grow in waste motor oil (WMO) and produce valuable compounds, laying the foundation for a sustainable approach to WMO management. Firstly, yeast strains were screened for their growth on WMO (2–10 g·L−1) in microplate cultures. Despite limited growth, the CBS 2075 strain exhibited comparable growth to control conditions (without WMO), while DSM 8218 growth increased 2- and 3-fold at 5 g·L−1 and 10 g·L−1 WMO, respectively. The batch cultures in the bioreactor confirmed the best performance of DSM 8218. A two-stage fed-batch strategy–growth phase in aliphatic hydrocarbons, followed by the addition of WMO (one pulse of 5 g·L−1 or five pulses of 1 g·L−1 WMO), significantly increased biomass production and WMO assimilation by both strains. In experiments with five pulses, CBS 2075 and DSM 8218 strains reached high proteolytic activities (593–628 U·L−1) and accumulated high quantities of intracellular lipids (1.3–1.7 g·L−1). Yeast lipids, mainly composed of oleic and linoleic acids with an unsaturated/saturated fraction > 59%, meet the EU biodiesel standard EN 14214, making them suitable for biodiesel production.

Yeast lipids as a sustainable source of nutrients in dairy products analogs

Phosphate chelation over calcium impacts yeast growth and lipid production from short-chain fatty acids-rich media

Detailed investigation on FAME capped metal nanocomposite synthesis as potential antifungal agent

Lipid droplets (LD) are dynamic cellular organelles of ≈1µm diameter in yeast where a neutral lipid core is surrounded by a phospholipid monolayer and attendant proteins. Beyond the storage of lipids, opportunities for LD engineering remain underdeveloped but they show excellent potential as new biomaterials. In this research, LD from yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is engineered to display mCherry fluorescent protein, Halotag ligand binding protein, plasma membrane binding v-SNARE protein, and carbonic anhydrase enzyme via linkage to oleosin, an LD anchoring protein. Each protein-oleosin fusion is coded via a single gene construct. The expressed fusion proteins are specifically displayed on LD and their functions can be assessed within cells by fluorescence confocal microscopy, TEM, and as isolated materials via AFM, flow cytometry, spectrophotometry, and by enzyme activity assay. LD isolated from the cell are shown to be robust and stabilize proteins anchored into them. These engineered LD function as reporters, bind specific ligands, guide LD and their attendant proteins into union with the plasma membrane, and catalyze reactions. Here, engineered LD functions are extended well beyond traditional lipid storage toward new material applications aided by a versatile oleosin platform anchored into LD and displaying linked proteins.

P4‐ATPases in complex with Cdc50 subunits are lipid flippases that couple ATP hydrolysis with lipid transport to the cytoplasmic leaflet of membranes to create lipid asymmetry. Such vectorial transport has been shown to contribute to vesicle formation in the late secretory pathway. Some flippases are regulated by autoinhibitory regions that can be destabilized by protein kinase‐mediated phosphorylation and possibly by binding of cytosolic proteins. In addition, the binding of lipids to flippases may also induce conformational changes required for the activity of these transporters. Here, we address the role of phosphatidylinositol‐4‐phosphate (PI4P) and the terminal autoinhibitory tails on the lipid flipping activity of the yeast lipid flippase Drs2–Cdc50. By functionally reconstituting the full‐length and truncated forms of Drs2 in a 1:1 complex with the Cdc50 subunit, we provide compelling evidence that lipid flippase activity is exclusively detected for the truncated Drs2 variant and is dependent on the presence of the phosphoinositide PI4P. These findings highlight the critical role of phosphoinositides as lipid co‐factors in the regulation of lipid transport by the Drs2–Cdc50 flippase.

Production of genetically engineered designer biodiesel from yeast lipids

Yarrowia lipolytica, a yeast species capable of producing oil or oily fatty acids, has the ability to utilize multiple carbon sources, including glycerol, acetic acid, and glucose, allows for the use of inexpensive carbon sources. Waste cooking oil can be utilized as an alternative carbon source while also there is potential in increasing the oil yield due to the presence of glycerol compounds. The study aims to explore the potential of Yarrowia lipolytica in producing lipid based bioenergy from by-product such waste cooking oils. One of the greatest challenges that will affect life is our continued reliance on fossil fuels, which are still derived from petroleum and fossils. Fuel is not only the primary source of energy that has a significant impact on every aspect, but its sustainability remains the primary concern as we search for alternative solutions that can circumvent these issues. Using yeast lipids, specifically Yarrowia lipolytica, has not been investigated, in addition to producie biodiesel, this yeast can use waste cooking oil as a growth medium and produce lipids. The third generation of biodiesel uses microorganism-produced lipids, which is new and worthy of further research to solve the problem of unsustainable and environmentally unfriendly diesel fuel. Yarrowia lipolytica's ability to accumulate lipids, produce wax esters synthase enzymes, and FAEE/FAME still have great potential.

Lipidomic analysis in diverse biological settings has become a frequent tool to increase our understanding of the processes of life. Cellular lipids play important roles not only as being the main components of cellular membranes, but also in the regulation of cell homeostasis as lipid signaling molecules. Yeast has been harnessed for biomedical research based on its good conservation of genetics and fundamental cell organisation principles and molecular pathways. Further application in so-called humanised yeast models have been developed which take advantage of yeast as providing the basics of a living cell with full control over heterologous expression. Here we present evidence that high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) represents an effective alternative to replace cost intensive mass spectrometry-based lipidomic analyses. We provide statistical comparison of identical samples by both methods, which support the use of HPTLC for quantitative analysis of the main yeast lipid classes.