Accumulation and Enrichment of Trace Elements by Yeast Cells and Their Applications: A Critical Review

Maintaining the homeostasis balance of trace elements is crucial for the health of organisms. Human health is threatened by diseases caused by a lack of trace elements. <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i> has a wide and close relationship with human daily life and industrial applications. It...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Jie Sun, Shiyi Xu, Yongbao Du, Kechen Yu, Yi Jiang, Hao Weng, Wei Yuan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-08-01
Series:Microorganisms
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/10/9/1746
Description
Summary:Maintaining the homeostasis balance of trace elements is crucial for the health of organisms. Human health is threatened by diseases caused by a lack of trace elements. <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i> has a wide and close relationship with human daily life and industrial applications. It can not only be used as fermentation products and single-cell proteins, but also as a trace elements supplement that is widely used in food, feed, and medicine. Trace-element-enriched yeast, viz., chromium-, iron-, zinc-, and selenium-enriched yeast, as an impactful microelements supplement, is more efficient, more environmentally friendly, and safer than its inorganic and organic counterparts. Over the last few decades, genetic engineering has been developing large-scaled genetic re-design and reconstruction in yeast. It is hoped that engineered yeast will include a higher concentration of trace elements. In this review, we compare the common supplement forms of several key trace elements. The mechanisms of detoxification and transport of trace elements in yeast are also reviewed thoroughly. Moreover, genes involved in the transport and detoxification of trace elements are summarized. A feasible way of metabolic engineering transformation of <i>S. cerevisiae</i> to produce trace-element-enriched yeast is examined. In addition, the economy, safety, and environmental protection of the engineered yeast are explored, and the future research direction of yeast enriched in trace elements is discussed.
ISSN:2076-2607