Fungal Lipids: The Biochemistry of Lipid Accumulation

Abstract

 Abstract—Current interest in single cell oils (SCOs) accumulated by oleaginous fungi centers around the ability of these microorganisms to convert agro-industrial surpluses and residues into lipids as potential alternative to edible plant and/or animal lipids or rarely found in the plant or animal kingdom [i.e. lipids containing polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs)]. In a recent development, SCOs are considered as adequate starting material for the production of biodiesels. PUFAs are valuable products because of their health promoting roles. Production of microbial PUFAs have many advantages, such as short life cycle, less labor requires, less affection by venue, season aclimateasier to scale up. The main aim of this review was to explain the biochemistry behind lipid accumulation in fungi and current applications of fungal PUFAs.