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Non-conventional yeast-based processes for conversion of renewable feedstocks into bioproducts

Efficient conversion of renewable and low-cost raw materials into bioproducts is of utmost importance for a successful establishment of a circular bioeconomy. These bioprocesses require a range of different microbial cell factories that are well suited for the specific purposes. In this respect, conventional baker's yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae lacks many of the desired traits, including conversion of complex carbon sources, tolerance towards challenging process conditions and generation of a wide range of bioproducts. On the other hand, many non-conventional yeasts (NCY) have these capabilities, and they are therefore predicted to play key roles in future biotechnological production processes.

To develop new bioprocesses for utilization of renewable carbon sources and NCY cell factories, multi-disciplinary research efforts are required. We need a better understanding of how to generate alternative carbon sources such as carboxylic acids and biomass-derived sugars that NCY can convert into products. We also need to characterize and tailor the NCY cell factories and optimize the cultivation and fermentation conditions to maximize titers and yields of the targeted bioproducts. The overall aim of the "YEAST4BIO" network, funded by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology), is to facilitate collaboration and knowledge exchange between researchers working within this field both in academia and industry, and thereby driving research and innovation forward.

In this special collection of Biotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts, articles within YEAST4BIO-related research areas are presented. The articles focus on biomass fractionation and hydrolysis, NCY cultivation and fermentation as well as NCY characterization and development through molecular biology, genetics and physiology studies. Collectively, the articles show both the breadth and the depth of research within the YEAST4BIO COST Action and exemplifies the current challenges, improvements and possibilities within the field.

Articles are published continuously in the main journal and highlighted on the collection homepage as soon as they are ready.

Guest Editors: Dr. Elia Tomás-Pejó (IMDEA Energy, Spain), Dr. Antonio D. Moreno (CIEMAT, Spain) and Dr. Cecilia Geijer (Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden).



  1. Horticultural intensive type systems dedicated in producing greenhouse vegetables are one of the primary industries generating organic waste. Towards the implementation of a zero-waste strategy, this work aims...

    Authors: María Gallego-García, Antonio D. Moreno, Alberto González and María José Negro
    Citation: Biotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts 2023 16:21
    Content type: Research Published on:

  2. Yeast was the first microorganism used by mankind for biotransformation processes that laid the foundations of industrial biotechnology. In the last decade, Pichia pastoris has become the leading eukaryotic host ...

    Authors: Burcu Gündüz Ergün, Kübra Laçın, Buse Çaloğlu and Barış Binay
    Citation: Biotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts 2022 15:150
    Content type: Review Published on:

  4. The demand for naturally derived products is continuously growing. Nutraceuticals such as pre- and post-biotics, antioxidants and vitamins are prominent examples in this scenario, but many of them are mainly p...

    Authors: Luca Mastella, Vittorio G. Senatore, Lorenzo Guzzetti, Martina Coppolino, Luca Campone, Massimo Labra, Tiziana Beltrani and Paola Branduardi
    Citation: Biotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts 2022 15:98
    Content type: Research Published on:

  5. Limonene is a cyclic monoterpene that has applications in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. The industrial production of limonene and its derivatives through plant extraction presents importan...

    Authors: Gloria Muñoz-Fernández, Rubén Martínez-Buey, José Luis Revuelta and Alberto Jiménez
    Citation: Biotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts 2022 15:79
    Content type: Research Published on:

  6. Endoglucanases from thermophilic microorganisms are a valuable resource as they can be used in a wide variety of biotechnological applications including the valorisation of biomass and the production of biofue...

    Authors: Juan-José Escuder-Rodríguez, María González-Suarez, María-Eugenia deCastro, Almudena Saavedra-Bouza, Manuel Becerra and María-Isabel González-Siso
    Citation: Biotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts 2022 15:76
    Content type: Research Published on:

  7. Microbial lipids are found to be an interesting green alternative to expand available oil sources for the chemical industry. Yeasts are considered a promising platform for sustainable lipid production. Remarka...

    Authors: Sergio Morales-Palomo, Marta Liras, Cristina González-Fernández and Elia Tomás-Pejó
    Citation: Biotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts 2022 15:37
    Content type: Methodology Published on: