Announcing SBC’s Invention from Biodiversity
Oleaginous Yeast: A Scalable Sustainable Solution for Renewable Biofuel
Inventors: Tiong Chia Yeo, Ann Anni Basik, Holed Juboi, Stanley Ho Han Kiat, Alicia Vanessa Jeffary
SBC's research has discovered that Rhodotorula toruloides, an oleaginous yeast, can grow on an underutilised resource to produce biofuel.
Old oil palm tree trunks, which are normally cut into pieces and left on the ground during replanting, have a hidden high value. The sap, a sugar-rich product from these palms, is ideal for cultivating R. toruloides to produce high levels of lipids, constituting up to 55% of its dry cell weight.
The yeast’s lipid profile is dominated by monounsaturated oleic acid (46%), followed by saturated palmitic acid (24%), polyunsaturated linoleic acid (9%), and saturated stearic acid (5%). This composition closely resembles that of plant-derived oils, making it a promising alternative feedstock for biodiesel and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
Beyond biofuels, the process yields valuable side streams such as oil palm trunk biomass and yeast biomass, which can be repurposed into high-value fuel pellets, biochar, and animal feed. By transforming agricultural waste into high-value biofuels and industrial products, this innovation advances a cleaner, more circular energy economy, supporting both decarbonisation and sustainable resource utilisation.
To scale this breakthrough, SBC is building a pilot plant — a critical step to demonstrate commercial production. We are actively seeking strategic partners to join us in shaping a greener future, where waste becomes energy, and biodiversity fuels sustainability.
Interested in knowing more or exploring collaboration opportunities? Contact Holed Juboi (
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