Torulene and torularhodin: “new” fungal carotenoids for industry?

Abstract

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.

Biosynthetic Pathway of Carotenoids in Rhodotorula and Strategies for Enhanced Their Production

“…Furtherly, it was confirmed that both of them facilitated protective activity on human prostate stromal cells from oxidative stress damage [22]. Meanwhile, the anti-microbial activity of the two carotenoids had also been confirmed, which revealed their potential usage on infection prevention particularly in implanted medical products and preparations that require natural antimicrobials (Kot et al, 2018) [11]. Lastly, torularhodin is one of the few carotenoids with carboxylic acid function [19].…”

“…These approaches allowed the conclusion that the genus Rhodotorula possesses an identical or conserved carotenoid biosynthetic pathway ( Fig. 2) [10,11]. Carotenoid biosynthesis is known to follow the consecutive condensations of isoprenoid units into phytoene, the first colorless carotenoid in the pathway.…”

Fungal evolution: major ecological adaptations and evolutionary transitions

“…Many yeasts in the Pucciniomycotina accumulate carotenoid pigments, thus earning the common name ‘red yeasts’. Several others also accumulate lipids or possess metabolic capabilities that are not common within Saccharomycotina (Frengova & Beshkova, ; Ageitos et al, ; Kot et al, ). These traits have raised considerable interest for their possible industrial applications.…”

Carotenoids and lipid production from Rhodosporidium toruloides cultured in tea waste hydrolysate

“…[23,24]. In recent years, there have been increasing studies related to torularhodin and torulene biosynthesis and applications [25]. Fig.…”

“…It has been reported that torularhodin and torulene are mainly accumulated in yeasts of Rhodotorula and Sporobolomyces genera [23,25]. Very few reports are available on torularhodin and torulene production from Rhodosporidium genera.…”