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Considering the demand from many industrial sectors, the production of microbial lipids constitutes an attractive topic for research. Oleaginous microorganisms can produce over 60% of their dry matter in single cell oils (SCOs), especially in the form of triglycerides (TAGs). Approximately forty microbial genera, especially yeasts and moulds, are known to be high lipid producers. Many abiotic factors, such as the culture conditions or nutriment availability, influence the production of microbial lipids that are of interest. Among the factors that can influence SCO production, the carbon source, limiting nutriments (especially nitrogen), pH and temperature are cited most often in the literature. Improvement in SCO production through the optimisation of abiotic factors encounters several limitations. Thus, research is currently increasingly oriented toward genetic modifications to optimise the synthesis of lipids by oleaginous microorganisms.

Exopolysaccharides (EPSs) produced by microorganisms represent an industrially untapped market. Some microorganisms can produce and excrete over 40 g L −1 of EPS in simple but costly production conditions. Approximately thirty strains of eukaryotic and prokaryotic microorganisms are notable for their EPS production. EPSs are produced in response to biotic and abiotic stress factors and/or to adapt to an extreme environment. The main function of EPSs is to aid in protection against environmental pressures. Heteropolysaccharides and some homopolysaccharides are synthesised in microbial cells and then secreted into the extracellular environment. More currently, homopolysaccharide synthesis occurs outside of the cells after specific enzymes are exuded. Although natural secretory mechanisms exist in microorganisms, it is often necessary to resort to physical or chemical extraction methods to improve the yield of EPSs at an industrial level. In light of growing interest, our basic understanding of microbial EPSs needs to be improved.