Torulene and torularhodin represent the group of carotenoids and are synthesized by yeasts and fungi. The most important producers of these two compounds include yeasts of Rhodotorula and Sporobolomyces genera. The first reports confirming the presence of torulene and torularhodin in the cells of microorganisms date to the 1930s and 1940s; however, only in the past few years, the number of works describing the properties of these compounds increased. These compounds have strong anti-oxidative and anti-microbial properties, and thus may be successfully used as food, feedstock, and cosmetics additives. In addition, tests performed on rats and mice showed that both torulene and torularhodin have anti-cancerous properties. In order to commercialize the production of these two carotenoids, it is necessary to obtain highly efficient yeast strains, for example, via mutagenization and optimization of cultivation conditions. Further studies on the activity of torulene and torularhodin on the human body are also needed.

The objective of this study was to determine the possibility of simultaneous biosynthesis of lipids and carotenoids by the Rhodotorula yeast strains in media with waste glycerol and deproteinized potato wastewater and to determine the level of pollution reduction by media. On the basis of results obtained during the yeast microcultures in the Bioscreen C system, it was found that potato wastewater and glycerol can be used as components of media for Rhodotorula glutinis, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, and Rhodotorula gracilis yeast strains. The amount of glycerol added to media higher than 10% significantly decreased the growth rate of yeast. The results of yeast culture in the laboratory shaker flasks showed a possibility of simultaneous production of lipids and carotenoids by R. glutinis, R. mucilaginosa, and R. gracilis yeast strains during cultivation in media containing only waste glycerol and deproteinized potato wastewater. A higher intracellular lipid content (approximately 15 g/100 g_d.w.) was obtained for R. mucilaginosa and R. gracilis yeast biomass after cultivation in experimental media with waste glycerol and potato wastewater. In conclusion, the yeast grown in media with potato wastewater supplemented with 3% or 5% glycerol synthesized carotenoids, and their content in biomass did not exceed 230 μg/g_d.w.

In this study, we aimed to determine the effect of exogenous stress factors (sodium chloride as osmotic stressor, hydrogen peroxide as an inducer of oxidative stress, white light irradiation, and low temperature) on the biosynthesis of carotenoids and lipids by red yeast (Rhodotorula glutinis, R. mucilaginosa, and R. gracilis) during cultivation in media containing potato wastewater and glycerol. According to our results, the yeast were able to grow and biosynthesize lipids and carotenoids in the presence of the applied stress factors. Low temperature caused an increase in the biosynthesis of intracellular lipids and carotenoids. R. gracilis synthesized lipids (21.1 g/100 g_d.w.) and carotenoids (360.4 µg/g_d.w.) in greater quantities than that of other strains. Under these conditions, there was also an increase in the content of unsaturated fatty acids, especially linoleic and linolenic acids. The highest percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) (30.4%) was synthesized by the R. gracilis yeast after cultivation at 20°C. Their quantity was 2.5-fold greater than that of the biomass grown in control conditions. The contribution of individual carotenoid fractions depended both on the yeast strain and the culture conditions. Induction of osmotic stress and low temperature intensified the biosynthesis of β-carotene (up to 73.9% of the total carotenoid content). In oxidative stress conditions, yeast synthesized torulene (up to 82.2%) more efficiently than under other conditions, whereas white light irradiation increased the production of torularhodin (up to 20.0%).

The wood biomass obtained from four tree species: spruce, beech, willow and alder was studied. Sawdust obtained by sawing of wood was dried in a convective dryer at 80 °C, without drying-agent flow. The measurements taken with oven-drying method covered determination of initial moisture and its detailed changes during entire drying process. Both DSC curves and spectral data from infrared spectra registered in the classic MIR range were also used to monitor change in water content in studied samples within entire drying process. Results obtained suggest that the DSC curves can be efficiently used as a discriminant to distinguish dry and wet biomass samples, as significant differences within courses of specific DSC curves of woody biomass before and after drying process occurred. Calorimetrically measured values of enthalpy of evaporation of water and water content in studied biomass samples were directly proportional to high determination coefficient, i.e. 0.9653. Statistical analysis proved quantitative directly proportional correlation between content of water measured with oven-drying method and IR spectral data of studied samples.

Background: Rhodotorula glutinis is capable of synthesizing numerous valuable metabolites with extensive potential industrial usage. This paper reports the effect of initial culture medium pH on growth and protein, lipid, and carotenoid biosynthesis by R. glutinis. Results: The highest biomass yield was obtained in media with pH 4.0–7.0, and the value after 72 h was 17.2–19.4 gd.w./L. An initial pH of the medium in the range of 4.0–7.0 has no significant effect on the protein (38.5–41.3 g/100 gd.w.), lipid (10.2–12.7 g/100 gd.w.), or carotenoid (191.7–202.9 μg/gd.w.) content in the biomass or on the profile of synthesized fatty acids and carotenoids. The whole pool of fatty acids was dominated by oleic (48.1–53.4%), linoleic (21.4–25.1%), and palmitic acids (13.0–15.8%). In these conditions, the yeast mainly synthesized torulene (43.5–47.7%) and β-carotene (34.7–38.6%), whereas the contribution of torularhodin was only 12.1–16.8%. Cultivation in medium with initial pH 3.0 resulted in a reduction in growth (13.0 gd.w./L) and total carotenoid (115.8 μg/gd.w.), linoleic acid (11.5%), and torularhodin (4.5%) biosynthesis. Conclusion: The different values of initial pH of the culture medium with glycerol and deproteinized potato wastewater had a significant effect on the growth and protein, lipid, and carotenoid biosynthesis by R. glutinis