Non-conventional yeasts: promising cell factories for organic acid bioproduction

Yupeng Wang; Yi Wang; Jiakai Cui; Chenchen Wu; Bo Yu; Limin Wang

doi:10.1016/j.tibtech.2024.12.004

Non-conventional yeasts: promising cell factories for organic acid bioproduction

Trends Biotechnol. 2025 Jan 10:S0167-7799(24)00364-0. doi: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2024.12.004. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Yupeng Wang¹, Yi Wang¹, Jiakai Cui², Chenchen Wu¹, Bo Yu³, Limin Wang⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Microbial Physiological and Metabolic Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
² Department of Microbial Physiological and Metabolic Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China.
³ Department of Microbial Physiological and Metabolic Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁴ Department of Microbial Physiological and Metabolic Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 39799011
DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2024.12.004

Abstract

Microbial production of organic acids has been hindered by the poor acid tolerance of microorganisms and the high costs of waste salt reprocessing. The robustness of non-conventional microorganisms in an acidic environment makes it possible to produce organic acids at low pH and greatly simplifies downstream processing. In this review we discuss the environmental adaptability features of non-conventional yeasts, as well as the latest developments in genomic engineering strategies that have facilitated metabolic engineering of these strains. We also use selected examples of three-carbon (C3), C4, and C6 organic acids to illustrate the ongoing efforts and challenges of using non-conventional yeasts for organic acid production. This review provides theoretical guidance for the construction of highly robust organic acid producers.

Keywords: environmental adaptability; low-cost bioprocessing; microbial biotechnology; non-conventional yeasts; organic acids.

Publication types

Review