Elucidation of the Natural Function of Sophorolipids Produced by <i>Starmerella bombicola</i>
The yeast <i>Starmerella bombicola</i> distinguishes itself from other yeasts by its potential of producing copious amounts of the secondary metabolites sophorolipids (SLs): these are glycolipid biosurfactants composed out of a(n) (acetylated) sophorose moiety and a lipid tail. Although...
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| Autores principales: | , , , , |
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| Formato: | article |
| Lenguaje: | EN |
| Publicado: |
MDPI AG
2021
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| Materias: | |
| Acceso en línea: | https://doaj.org/article/9eee91cbda494559b43c3490a11c9ed5 |
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| Sumario: | The yeast <i>Starmerella bombicola</i> distinguishes itself from other yeasts by its potential of producing copious amounts of the secondary metabolites sophorolipids (SLs): these are glycolipid biosurfactants composed out of a(n) (acetylated) sophorose moiety and a lipid tail. Although SLs are the subject of numerous research papers and have been commercialized, e.g., in eco-friendly cleaning solutions, the natural function of SLs still remains elusive. This research article investigates several hypotheses for why <i>S. bombicola</i> invests that much energy in the production of SLs, and we conclude that the main natural function of SLs in <i>S. bombicola</i> is niche protection: (1) the extracellular storage of an energy-rich, yet metabolically less accessible carbon source that can be utilized by <i>S. bombicola</i> upon conditions of starvation with (2) antimicrobial properties. In this way, <i>S. bombicola</i> creates a dual advantage in competition with other microorganisms. Additionally, SLs can expedite growth on rapeseed oil, composed of triacylglycerols which are hydrophobic substrates present in the yeasts’ environment, for a non-SL producing strain (<i>Δcyp52M1</i>). It was also found that—at least under lab conditions—SLs do not provide protection against high osmotic pressure prevalent in sugar-rich environments such as honey or nectar present in the natural habitat of <i>S. bombicola</i>. |
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