Analysis of metabolic fluxes for better understanding of mechanisms related to lipid accumulation in oleaginous yeast Trichosporon cutaneum

► 13C-based metabolic flux analysis was performed for oleaginous yeast T. cutaneum. ► Central metabolic network model of T. cutaneum was constructed. ► Reaction catalyzed by cytoplasmic malic enzyme was the major source of NADPH. ► Citrate pyruvate cycle played an essential role for lipid accumulation. ► Provide metabolic engineering strategies to biodiesel production.