Rhodosporidium sp. DR37: a novel strain for production of squalene in optimized cultivation conditions

Abstract Background Rhodosporidium strain , a well-known oleaginous yeast, has been widely used as platform for lipid and carotenoid production. However, the production of squalene application in lipid-based biofuels is not reported this strain. Here, new sp. was isolated identified, its potential investigated under various cultivation conditions. Results In present study, DR37 from mangrove ecosystem assessed. When cultivated on modified YEPD medium (20 g/L glucose, 5 peptone, YE, seawater (50% v/v), pH 7, 30 °C), 64 mg/L produced. Also, content obtained 13.9% total lipid. Significantly, use optimized sucrose, (20% 25 °C) allowed highest accumulation (619 mg/L) (21.6% lipid) DR37. Moreover, kinetic parameters including maximum specific cell growth rate ( μ max h −1 ), q p sq ) sucrose consumption s were determined 0.092, 0.226, 0.036 0.010, respectively. Conclusions This study first report to employ marine medium. These findings provide well carotenoids biofuel applications large scale. Graphic abstract