Genetic and Metabolic Analysis of Rhodotorula toruloides Strains for Enhanced Lipid Production

Sammanfattning

In the context of sustainable biofuel production, oleaginous yeasts are emerging as critical players in the search for profitable, greener alternatives to fossil fuels. These microbes, known for their powerful lipid synthesis capabilities, have the potential to convert renewable, low-value biomass into economically valuable lipids. This process offers potential profit by significantly lowering production costs compared to conventional lipid sources, such as vegetable oils, and mitigating associated environmental impacts. Among these, the Rhodotorula species stand out for their strong lipid production skills and genetic diversity (Osman et al., 2022)(Zhang et al., 2021). The need to identify replacements for traditional lipid sources cannot be overstressed. Traditional methods are not only unsustainable but also have significant environmental consequences. Oleaginous yeasts provide a possible alternative since they convert low-value, non-food biomass into high-value lipids. This skill presents them as a sustainable alternative for waste management and the production of biofuels, chemicals, and food additives (Zhang et al., 2021). Rhodotorula yeasts, in particular, are known for their ability to use a wide range of substrates, including waste products and raw plant materials, which has the potential to drastically transform the existing economic landscape toward sustainability. This master's thesis dives into the genetic complexities of three Rhodotorula strains— two parental strains (CBS 14 and CBS 349) and one hybrid strain (CBS 6016), with the goal of investigating the genetic and metabolic capabilities of the hybrid strain CBS 6016, focusing on the inheritance and functionality of key metabolic pathways, particularly those involved in lipid production. Our findings show that CBS 6016 inherits a large number of protein sequences from both parental strains, preserving essential metabolic functions, as well as a partial loss of some enzymes suggests potential areas where metabolic capabilities could be affecting overall fitness and growth.