The ability of some microorganisms to accumulate lipids is well known; however, the number of studies on the biosynthesis of microbial lipids for obtaining oleochemicals has only recently increased rapidly.

In this context, a large-scale screening was carried out over 700 yeast isolates present in the DBVPG (belonging to 45 genera and 86 species of both the Ascomycota and Basidiomycota phylum) for the selection of lipid overproducing strains. The screening led to the selection of some strains capable of accumulating high intracellular concentrations of lipids, characterized by high percentages of mono/polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Subsequent studies have made possible the optimization of lipids accumulation on substrates characterized by waste biomass which, after appropriate chemical, physical and enzymatic treatments, have been used as substrates for the growth of selected yeast. This research is in line with the “European Green Deal” and with the concept of circular economy and energy transition (production of biofuels/oleochemicals from microorganisms).

S. Filippucci, G. Tasselli, A. Scardua, S. Di Mauro, M.R. Cramarossa, D. Perini, B. Turchetti, A. Onofri, L. Forti, P. Buzzini (2016) Study of Holtermanniella wattica, Leucosporidium creatinivorum, Naganishia adeliensis, Solicoccozyma aeria, and Solicoccozyma terricola for their lipogenic aptitude from different carbon sources. Biotechnology for Biofuels. 9:259; DOI 10.1186/s13068-016-0672-1.

G. Tasselli, S. Filippucci S, E. Borsella, S. D’Antonio , M. Gelosia, G. Cavalaglio, B. Turchetti, C. Sannino, A. Onofri, S. Mastrolitti, I. De Bari, F. Cotana, P. Buzzini (2018). Yeast lipids from cardoon stalks, stranded driftwood and olive tree pruning residues as possible extra sources of oils for producing biofuels and biochemicals. Biotechnol. Biofuels; 11:147; DOI: 10.1186/s13068-018-1142-8.

G. Tasselli, S. Filippucci, S.  D’Antonio, G.   Cavalaglio, B. Turchetti, F. Cotana , P. Buzzini (2019) Optimization of   enzymatic   hydrolysis   of   cellulosic   fraction   obtained   from stranded driftwood feedstocks for lipid production by Solicoccozyma terricola. Biotechnology Reports, 7;24: e00367; DOI: 10.1016/j.btre.2019.e00367.

M. Barbanera, M. Castellini, G. Tasselli, B. Turchetti, F. Cotana, P. Buzzini (2021) Prediction of the environmental impacts of yeast biodiesel production from cardoon stalks at industrial scale. Fuel 283: 118967; DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2020.118967.

M. Castellini, S. Ubertini, D. Barletta, I. Baffo, P. Buzzini, M. Barbanera (2021) Techno-Economic Analysis of Biodiesel Production from Microbial Oil Using Cardoon Stalks as Carbon Source. Energies, 14: 1473; DOI: 10.3390/en14051473.