Oleaginous yeasts are potential renewable sources of alternative biofuels due
to high lipid contents and fatty acid profiles similar to those of plant oils. To increase
the biotechnological potential of oleaginous yeasts, strategic cultivation of them using a
wide variety of low-cost materials as substrates has been investigated intensively. Their
metabolisms toward various substrates for the synthesis of lipids through de novo and
ex novo processes have been described. In addition, direct transesterification processes
that combine cell disruption, lipid extraction, and biodiesel production into a single
step are proposed. This chapter thoroughly reviews recent research into the broad
characteristics of oleaginous yeasts, the utilization of promising low-cost materials as
substrates for yeast cultivation, and direct processing for biodiesel production from
yeast lipids.
Keywords: Direct transesterification, Lipid synthesis, Low-cost materials, Oleaginous yeasts.
