Rhodotorula sp. as a promising host for microbial cell factories

Rhodotorula sp. is a red yeast that has emerged as a promising host for microbial cell factories. Under specific conditions, Rhodotorula sp. can accumulate lipids that constitute over 70% of its dry cell weight, underscoring its potential in lipid compound production. Additionally, it can utilize a variety of carbon sources, including glucose, xylose, and volatile fatty acids, and exhibits high tolerance to low-cost carbon sources and industrial by-products, showcasing its excellent performance in industrial processes. Furthermore, the native mevalonate pathway of Rhodotorula sp. enables its efficient synthesis of antioxidant carotenoids and other terpenoids, which are widely applied in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Due to its excellent accumulation ability of lipophilic compounds, metabolic diversity, and environmental adaptability, this review summarizes recent advances in genetic elements and metabolic engineering technologies for Rhodotorula sp., emphasizing its potential as a chassis cell factory for the production of lipids, carotenoids, and other chemicals. It also highlights key factors influencing commercial fermentation processes and concludes with challenges and solutions for further developing Rhodotorula sp. as microbial chassis.