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ABSTRACT The red yeast Rhodosporidium toruloides naturally produces microbial lipids and carotenoids. In the past decade or so, many studies demonstrated R. toruloides as a promising platform for lipid production owing to its diverse substrate appetites, robust stress resistance and other favorable features. Also, significant progresses have been made in genome sequencing, multi-omic analysis and genome-scale modeling, thus illuminating the molecular basis behind its physiology, metabolism and response to environmental stresses. At the same time, genetic parts and tools are continuously being developed to manipulate this distinctive organism. Engineered R. toruloides strains are emerging for enhanced production of conventional lipids, functional lipids as well as other interesting metabolites. This review updates those progresses and highlights future directions for advanced biotechnological applications.

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Due to increasing reports on poor‐quality palm oil in the market, there has been a continual decrease in demand and revenue cum product rejection of palm oil sold in Jos, Nigeria. Hence, the significance of this work aims to moderate the microbial and physical qualities of crude palm oil sold in different major markets in order to increase revenue through quality control and quality assurance protocols. The intent is to create awareness among government monitoring agencies, buyers (exporters and importers), and to promote standard processing procedures among manufacturers. The study was carried out to ascertain the levels of mold contamination and physicochemical properties of crude palm oil sold in Jos and its environ. A total of 90 samples were collected in sterile containers. Molds were isolated and identified using standard identification procedures. The physicochemical properties: free fatty acids (FFA), peroxide value (PV), iodine value (IV), moisture content (MC), and impurity level were determined. The assessment of mold isolated from the study sites recognized some life‐threatening genera capable of producing carcinogenic toxins. Candida sp. (51%) had the highest percentage of occurrence followed by Aspergillus sp. (45%) while Fusarium sp. (3%) was the least occurring mold. The mean mold count for all the palm oil samples ranges from 3.18 × 104 (cfu/mL)–4.56 × 104 (cfu/mL). Physicochemical findings showed that the average FFA (3.43–6.88%), PV (6.96–13.63 mEq/kg), IV (39.7–67.5 wijs), and MC (0.44–0.72%) values were within the SON acceptable limit, except the impurity level (0.28–0.44%) which was higher than the acceptable SON range in all the sites. There was a significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) in the mold and physicochemical properties of crude palm oil in almost all the samples analyzed when compared to both local and international permissible limits of the tested parameters recommended for edible palm oil. There was compliance between the permissible limits (local and international) of the physicochemical values of the parameters we tested for in the edible palm oil except the impurity level, while the mold count did not meet (was higher) with the required permissible limit of the SON mold count.

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Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) involves the utilization of large array of soil bacteria to improve yield and plant growth. As free living and symbiotic rhizobacteria, PGPR colonizes extracellular and/or intracellular rhizoenvironment in search for carbon source while indirectly aiding plant growth. In the past few decades, focus has been on developing a biosafety agro base approach void of continuous burden on soil micro flora as a result of agrochemical application. However, with clear understanding of PGPR mechanisms of action; (i) biofertilization (ii) biostimulation (iii) and biocontrol, it create more hope on the possibility of curbing food insecurity, clean environmental sustenance and lower public health risk. Seeds or soil application of PGPRs inoculant enhances directly phosphates solubilization, atmospheric nitrogen fixation and secretion of plant hormones (indole acetic acid, gibberellins, cytokinins and ethylene) needed for growth and adaptation in stressed environment. As soil pathogen consistently rival the roles of these organisms, they (PGPRs)have developed over time wide spectrum of strategies in the form of systemic resistance, iron, space and nutrient competition, antibiotics synthesis, lytic acid production and hydrogen cyanide for efficient food productivity. In view of this, the review widen our scope on the use of PGPR as bioinoculant in sustainable agro practice and to serve as a wakeup call for it reception and implementation in the tropics where paucity of data on it use has long prevailed.