Materials and methods for synthesis of a flavor and aroma volatile in plants

A cell transformed with:

• a polynucleotide encoding a plant aromatic amino acid decarboxylase, or an enzymatically active fragment thereof, wherein said decarboxylase comprises the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:
• 5, SEQ ID NO:
• 7, SEQ ID NO:
• 9, or SEQ ID NO:
• 13, or an enzymatically active fragment thereof, or said decarboxylase has 70% or greater sequence identity with the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:
• 5, SEQ ID NO:
• 7, SEQ ID NO:
• 9, or SEQ ID NO:
• 13, and exhibits aromatic amino acid decarboxylase enzymatic activity.

A plant, plant tissue, or plant cell transformed with or bred to contain:

• a polynucleotide encoding a plant aromatic amino acid decarboxylase, or an enzymatically active fragment thereof, wherein said decarboxylase comprises the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:
• 5, SEQ ID NO:
• 7, SEQ ID NO:
• 9, or SEQ ID NO:
• 13, or an enzymatically active fragment thereof, or said decarboxylase has 70% or greater sequence identity with the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:
• 5, SEQ ID NO:
• 7, SEQ ID NO:
• 9, or SEQ ID NO:
• 13, and exhibits aromatic amino acid decarboxylase enzymatic activity.

A method for providing a plant with increased flavor or fragrance, said method comprising incorporating in said plant:

• a polynucleotide encoding a plant aromatic amino acid decarboxylase, or an enzymatically active fragment thereof, wherein said decarboxylase comprises the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:
• 5, SEQ ID NO:
• 7, SEQ ID NO:
• 9, or SEQ ID NO:
• 13, or an enzymatically active fragment thereof, or said decarboxylase has 70% or greater sequence identity with the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:
• 5, SEQ ID NO:
• 7, SEQ ID NO:
• 9, or SEQ ID NO:
• 13, and exhibits aromatic amino acid decarboxylase enzymatic activity;
• and expressing the polypeptide encoded by said polynucleotide.

A transgenic plant, plant tissue, or plant cell, wherein said plant, plant tissue or plant cell comprises incorporated in the genome of said plant, plant tissue, or plant cell:

• a polynucleotide encoding a plant aromatic amino acid decarboxylase, or an enzymatically active fragment thereof, wherein said decarboxylase comprises the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:
• 5, SEQ ID NO:
• 7, SEQ ID NO:
• 9, or SEQ ID NO:
• 13, or an enzymatically active fragment thereof, or said decarboxylase has 70% or greater sequence identity with the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:
• 5, SEQ ID NO:
• 7, SEQ ID NO:
• 9, or SEQ ID NO:
• 13, and exhibits aromatic amino acid decarboxylase enzymatic activity.