Its cells are globose and thick-walled, holding a single, large oil droplet of high refractive index.
As the result of incomplete budding where cells remain attached after division, pseudohyphae may form under anaerobic conditions.
Research on yeast population dynamics show that the use of M. pulcherrima in sequential inoculation with Saccharomyces uvarum during fermentation can produce Shirazi wine and Chardonnays of reduced alcohol content.
It has low production costs, a high melting point, is rich in saturated fats, and is widely used in the food and cosmetics industries.
[8] The Bath team aim to develop a substitute for palm oil using Metschnikowia pulcherrima by growing it on an industrial scale using the lignocellulose in agricultural and food waste as a source of polysaccharides.