Metabolomic Analysis of Response to Nitrogen-Limiting Conditions in spp.

is a yeast genus that has been used as a model oleaginous taxon for a wide array of studies. However, information regarding metabolite changes within spp. under different environmental conditions is still limited. Among various factors affecting metabolism, nitrogen-limiting conditions have a profound effect on the metabolic state of yeast. In this study, a time-course LC-MS/MS-based metabolome analysis of was performed to determine the optimal cultivation time and carbon-to-nitrogen ratio for studying the effects of nitrogen-limiting conditions on ; we found that cultivation time of 36 h and carbon-to-nitrogen ratio of 4:1 and 5:0 was suitable for studying the effects of nitrogen-limiting conditions on and these conditions were applied to six strains of . These six strains of showed similar responses to nitrogen-limiting conditions; however, each strain had a unique metabolomic profile. Purine and pyrimidine metabolism were the most highly affected biological pathways in nitrogen-limiting conditions, indicating that these conditions affect energy availability within cells. This stress leads to a shift in cells to the utilization of a less ATP-dependent biological pathway. This information will be beneficial for the development of strains for further scientific and industrial applications.