Ustilaginaceae naturally produce a wide range of value-added chemicals (e.g.
secondary metabolites,
TCA cycle intermediates) with growing biotechnological interest.[2] Reported metabolites are
polyols,
organic acids, extracellular
glycolipids, iron-chelating
siderophores and
tryptophan derivatives.[3][4] Polyols, such as
erythritol (ery) and
mannitol, for example, have large markets as
sweeteners for diabetics and as facilitating agents for the transportation of pharmaceuticals in medicine.[5]Itaconic, L-
malic,
succinic, l-
itatartaric, and l-2-
hydroxyparaconic acid are organic acids produced by many
Ustilaginomycetes.[4] Applications for itaconic acid are for example the production of resins, plastics, adhesives, elastomers, coatings, and nowadays itaconate is discussed as a platform chemical in the production of biofuels.[6] Malic acid is used in many food products, primarily as an acidulant.[7] Succinic acid is utilized as a precursor to pharmaceutical ingredients, such as additives, solvents, and polymers, but also as a
food additive and
dietary supplement.[8] Another category of metabolites produced by smut fungi contains extracellular glycolipids, such as
mannosylerythritol lipids and
ustilagic acid.[9][10] These lipids have
biosurfactant properties and can be used in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food applications and are known for their strong fungicidal activity on many species.[3]
^Moon, Hee-Jung; Jeya, Marimuthu; Kim, In-Won; Lee, Jung-Kul (2010-02-26). "Biotechnological production of erythritol and its applications". Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. 86 (4): 1017–1025.
doi:
10.1007/s00253-010-2496-4.
ISSN0175-7598.
PMID20186409.
S2CID9560435.
^Tsao, G. T.; Cao, N. J.; Du, J.; Gong, C. S. (1999-01-01). Tsao, Prof Dr G. T.; Brainard, A. P.; Bungay, H. R.; Cao, N. J.; Cen, P.; Chen, Z.; Du, J.; Foody, B.; Gong, C. S. (eds.). Production of Multifunctional Organic Acids from Renewable Resources. Advances in Biochemical Engineering/Biotechnology. Vol. 65. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. pp. 243–280.
doi:
10.1007/3-540-49194-5_10.
ISBN9783540655770.
PMID10533437.
^Zeikus, J. G.; Jain, M. K.; Elankovan, P. (1999). "Biotechnology of succinic acid production and markets for derived industrial products". Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. 51 (5): 545–552.
doi:
10.1007/s002530051431.
ISSN0175-7598.
S2CID38868987.
^Morita, Tomotake; Fukuoka, Tokuma; Imura, Tomohiro; Kitamoto, Dai (2009-05-01). "Production of glycolipid biosurfactants by basidiomycetous yeasts". Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry. 53 (1): 39–49.
doi:
10.1042/BA20090033.
ISSN1470-8744.
PMID19341364.
S2CID27322169.
^Bölker, Michael; Basse, Christoph W.; Schirawski, Jan (2008-08-01). "Ustilago maydis secondary metabolism—From genomics to biochemistry". Fungal Genetics and Biology. Thematic Issue: Ustilago maydis. 45, Supplement 1: S88–S93.
doi:
10.1016/j.fgb.2008.05.007.
PMID18585066.