Utilization, metabolic regulation and applications of hydrophobic substrates in Yarrowia lipolytica

The efficient use of hydrophobic substrates such as n-alkanes and fatty acids as carbon and energy sources is an important native ability of <i>Yarrowia lipolytica</i>. This review summarizes the crucial characteristics of <i>Y. lipolytica</i>, followed by the metabolic processes and regulatory mechanisms related to the utilization of alkane and non-alkane hydrophobic substrates, encompassing fatty acids, fatty acid methyl esters and triacylglycerols. This review also discusses novel and future applications of <i>Y. lipolytica</i> in bioremediation and the production of bio-based chemicals. Finally, this review provides corresponding summary and outlook, aiming to provide fresh guidance for research on the utilization of hydrophobic substrates for biotechnological applications based on the <i>Y. lipolytica</i> platform.