Non-conventional yeasts: Exploring alternative microorganisms for Brazil's biological inputs segment

Brazil presents a favorable scenario for the development of new types of bio-inputs that primarily assist in the implementation of sustainable agriculture that seeks to reduce the use of chemical pesticides in crops. Based on the regulatory framework (Brazil, 2024), new types of microorganisms were included in the research and development of bio-inputs. Currently, Brazil has 785 registered biological products, most of which are composed of microorganisms, but yeasts are not yet included in the composition of these products. Non-conventional yeasts have biotechnological potential that is little explored in the bio-input sector. These microorganisms have characteristics such as easy handling, ability to adapt to industrial scale, minimal maintenance cost and high diversity of species present in different biomes in Brazil, which makes them available for usage as an investment in this sector. Six main species of non-conventional yeasts are candidates to be commercialized as bio-inputs in Brazil. They are found mainly in the Cerrado Biome, namely the species Aureobasidium pullulans , Hanseniaspora opuntiae , Meyerozyma guilliermondii , Meyerozyma caribbica , Pseudozyma hubeiensis and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa . Research has demonstrated their potential use as plant growth promoting agents, and in nutrient solubilization and biocontrol activities. For the commercial use of non-conventional yeasts in Brazil, there are still no studies conducted on a large scale, and new genetic, metabolic, and physiological studies as well as agronomic assays are needed to boost the diversity of species and validation at bench, field and industrial scale. Appropriate registration is also needed in the protection agencies, enabling the use of these yeasts in the formulation of new types of bio-inputs and for commercialization in Brazil.