Marine yeasts as biocontrol agents and producers of bio-products

Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2010 May;86(5):1227-41. doi: 10.1007/s00253-010-2483-9. Epub 2010 Feb 27.

Abstract

As some species of marine yeasts can colonize intestine of marine animals, they can be used as probiotics. It has been reported that beta-glucans from marine yeast cells can be utilized as immuno-stimulants in marine animals. Some siderophores or killer toxins produced by marine yeasts have ability to inhibit growth of pathogenic bacteria or kill pathogenic yeasts in marine animals. The virulent factors from marine pathogens can be genetically displayed on marine yeast cells, and the yeast cells displaying the virulent factors can stimulate marine animals to produce specific antibody against the pathogens. Some marine yeast cells are rich in proteins and essential amino acids and can be used in nutrition for marine animals. The marine yeast cells rich in lipid can be used for biodiesel production. Recently, it has been reported that some strains of Yarrowia lipolytica isolated from marine environments can produce nanoparticles. Because many marine yeasts can remove organic pollutants and heavy metals, they can be applied to remediation of marine environments. It has been shown that the enzymes produced by some marine yeasts have many unique properties and many potential applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Biofuels
  • Biological Products*
  • Environmental Restoration and Remediation
  • Fungal Proteins / physiology
  • Industrial Microbiology
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nanoparticles
  • Probiotics
  • Riboflavin / biosynthesis
  • Seawater
  • Yeasts / enzymology
  • Yeasts / physiology*

Substances

  • Biofuels
  • Biological Products
  • Fungal Proteins
  • Riboflavin