Biodiesel production from a newly isolated Pichia kudriavzevii strain

► An oleaginous yeast, Pichia kudriavzevii MTCC 5493 was isolated. ► The strain produced up to 23 % oil on dry weight basis. ► Optimized biomass production and characterized oil and biodiesel. ► Optimization reduced cost of media for production by 60%. ► Environmentally safe, cheap solvents were used and were recovered and recycled.