Compositions and methods for the biosynthesis of vanillin or vanillin beta-d-glucoside
AssigneesInternational Flavors & Fragrances Inc., Evolva SA
InventorsJoergen HANSEN, Esben Halkjaer HANSEN, Honey POLUR, Joseph M. SHERIDAN, Jonathan R. HEAL, William D.O. HAMILTON
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Abstract
Recombinant microorganisms, plants, and plant cells are disclosed that have been engineered to express a mutant AROM polypeptide and/or mutant catechol-O-methyltransferase polypeptide alone or in combination with one or more vanillin biosynthetic enzymes or UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs). Such microorganisms, plants, or plant cells can produce vanillin or vanillin beta-D-glucoside.
Claims35
A method for producing vanillin and/or vanillin beta-D-glucoside comprising
- (a) providing a recombinant host capable of producing vanillin, wherein said recombinant host harbors a heterologous nucleic acid encoding a mutant Catechol-O-Methyl Transferase (COMT) polypeptide;
- (b) cultivating said recombinant host for a time sufficient for said recombinant host to produce vanillin and/or vanillin glucoside;
- and
- (c) isolating vanillin and/or vanillin glucoside from said recombinant host or from the cultivation supernatant, thereby producing vanillin and/or vanillin beta-D-glucoside.
An extract comprising vanillin and/or vanillin glucoside produced by any one of the preceding methods.
An isolated mutant Catechol-O-Methyl Transferase (COMT) polypeptide, wherein said mutant COMT polypeptide is capable of catalyzing methylation of an —OH group of protocatechuic acid, wherein said methylation results in generation of at least 4 times more vanillic acid compared to iso-vanillic acid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.