EUBCE 2026 - Fanny JOFRE - Integrating Antarctic Yeasts into Biorefinery Platforms for the Valorization of Cellulose, Hemicellulose, and Lignin from the Sugar-Energy Sector

Integrating Antarctic Yeasts into Biorefinery Platforms for the Valorization of Cellulose, Hemicellulose, and Lignin from the Sugar-Energy Sector

Short Introductive summary

The growing demand for sustainable bioproducts has driven efforts to integrate all fractions of lignocellulosic biomass—cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin—into circular biorefinery systems within the sugar-energy sector. However, the natural toxicity of lignocellulosic hydrolysates and the limited number of xylose-fermenting microorganisms still restrict process efficiency. This study explores Antarctic yeasts as robust microbial platforms capable of tolerating inhibitory compounds and producing carotenoid pigments from sugarcane-derived substrates. Forty-nine strains were initially screened, and eight were evaluated for growth and pigment synthesis in glucose, glucose–xylose, and sugarcane bagasse liquor obtained by hydrodynamic cavitation. Several strains, particularly Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, demonstrated metabolic resilience and carotenoid biosynthesis even under inhibitory stress. These results highlight the potential of extremophilic yeasts to enhance bio-based chemical production and contribute to integrated biorefinery platforms for the valorization of lignocellulosic resources in a sustainable, circular bioeconomy framework.

F. Jofre, University of Sao Paulo, Lorena, BRAZIL
D. Meneguzzi, University of Sao Paulo, Lorena, BRAZIL
A. Pessoa Júnior, University of Sao Paulo, BRAZIL
L.D. Sette, Sao Paulo State University, Rio Claro, BRAZIL
M.G.A. Felipe, University of Sao Paulo, Lorena, BRAZIL