Green Biosynthesis of Terpenoid-Derived Flavor and Fragrance Compounds: Advances and Strategic Perspectives.
Zheng Y, Cao H, Bi J, Xue F
Summary
8.2/10Scientists are developing sustainable ways to manufacture terpenoid compounds (used in flavors and fragrances) using engineered microbes instead of extracting them from plants or making them chemically, making these valuable compounds cheaper and more environmentally friendly to produce.
Key Findings
Synthetic biology enables microbial cell factories to produce terpenoids using low-cost substrates, offering a sustainable alternative to plant extraction and chemical synthesis
Critical engineering strategies include enzyme modification, dynamic pathway regulation, cellular compartmentalization, and enhanced tolerance to terpenoid toxicity
Selecting compatible host strains and integrating multiple engineering strategies with advanced technologies significantly improves biosynthesis efficiency
Original Abstract
Terpenoids and their derivatives play pivotal roles in the flavor and fragrance industry due to their superior olfactory properties. While conventional plant extraction and chemical synthesis face challenges of stereoselectivity and sustainability, biosynthesis has emerged as a promising alternative for the production of terpenoids. Recent advances in synthetic biology have created novel opportunities to address bottlenecks in the biosynthesis of terpenoids. This review systematically summarizes the latest progress, emphasizing examples that use low-cost substrates and the importance of selecting compatible host strains for microbial cell factories. Key engineering strategies are also discussed from the perspective of challenges such as enzyme modification, dynamic pathway regulation, cellular compartmentalization and enhanced tolerance to terpenoid toxicity. Finally, we explore future research directions and the prospects of integrating multiple strategies with advanced technologies, hoping to provide critical insights and guidelines for sustainable production of terpenoids.