Critical applications of Mucor circinelloides within a biorefinery context

Abstract

The establishment of an efficient and feasible biorefinery model depends on, among other factors, particularly the selection of the most appropriate microorganism. Mucor circinelloides is a dimorphic fungus species able to produce a wide variety of hydrolytic enzymes, lipids prone to biodiesel production, carotenoids, ethanol, and biomass with significant nutritional value. M. circinelloides also has been selected as a model species for genetic modification by being the first filamentous oleaginous species to have its genome fully characterized, as well as being a species characterized as a potential bioremediation agent. Considering the potential of replacing several nonrenewable feedstocks is widely dependent on fossil fuels, the exploitation of microbial processes and products is a desirable solution for promoting a green and sustainable future. Here, we introduce and thoroughly describe the recent and critical applications of this remarkable fungus within the context of developing a fungal-based biorefinery.

Keywords:

• Mucor circinelloides
• filamentous fungi
• enzymes
• lipids
• carotenoids
• biorefinery
• bioremediation
• zygomycete

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

Authors are thankful to FAPESP (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo) for Grants [2016/10636–8] and [2017/1210636–8], CAPES (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – Brazil) - Finance Code 001, CNPq [433248/2018–1], MnDRIVE (Minnesota’s Discovery, Research, and Innovation Economy) and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico for financial support.