Yarrowia

Yarrowia is a genus of ascomycetous yeasts. The best known species is Yarrowia lipolytica, which was formerly classified as Candida lipolytica. Y. lipolytica is notable for its oleaginous character—its ability to accumulate large amounts of lipids—and for its metabolic versatility, which has made it a widely used platform in biotechnology and research.

Ecology and morphology: Yarrowia species are environmental yeasts found in soil, water, dairy products, and other habitats. Cells are typically oval to elongated and reproduce by budding; under some conditions they form pseudohyphae. Y. lipolytica is classified as nonpathogenic in healthy individuals, though it can act as an opportunistic pathogen in immunocompromised people.

Metabolism and genetics: It can utilize a broad range of carbon sources, including hydrophobic substrates such as fats and alkanes. It readily redirects carbon toward lipid synthesis, enabling lipid production at high yield. The genome of Y. lipolytica has been sequenced, and numerous genetic tools have been developed, including CRISPR-based methods, making it a tractable chassis for metabolic engineering.

Applications: Y. lipolytica is used to produce single-cell oils (lipids) for nutrition, biofuels, and specialty chemicals; it also serves as a host for production of organic acids, enzymes, and biosurfactants. It is studied for bioconversion of waste streams and for basic research on lipid metabolism and yeast physiology.

Taxonomy and history: Yarrowia was named for its distinctive yeast biology and has several species beyond Y. lipolytica. The organism's taxonomy has evolved with molecular methods, consolidating its position among Saccharomycotina yeasts. It remains a major model organism for lipid metabolism and industrial biotechnology.