PubMed Health⌕ Search
Home/Archive/PubMed

PubMed · 11378488

Microbial pathway engineering for industrial processes: evolution, combinatorial biosynthesis and rational design.

L Rohlin·M K Oh·J C Liao
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

Microbial pathway engineering has made significant progress in multiple areas. Many examples of successful pathway engineering for specialty and fine chemicals have been reported in the past two years. Novel carotenoids and polyketides have been synthesized using molecular evolution and combinatorial strategies. In addition, rational design approaches based on metabolic control have been reported to increase metabolic flux to specific products. Experimental and computational tools have been developed to aid in design, reconstruction and analysis of non-native pathways. It is expected that a hybrid of evolutionary, combinatorial and rational design approaches will yield significant advances in the near future.

Explore related subjects

CarotenoidsIndustrial MicrobiologyMicrobiological TechniquesPolyisoprenyl PhosphatesJournal ArticleReview

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

L Rohlin, M K Oh, J C Liao. 2001. Microbial pathway engineering for industrial processes: evolution, combinatorial biosynthesis and rational design.. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1369-5274(00)00213-7

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related citations

PubMed2026

Microbial decaprenoxanthin: From understanding an extremophile-derived C50 carotenoid to its bioprocessing for large-scale applications.

Decaprenoxanthin (DPXT) is an unusual bacterial C50 carotenoid that has historically received limited attention despite its well-defined structure. For decades, carotenoid research and industrial development have been dominated by C40 carotenoids, leaving longer-chain carotenoids largely overlooked. Recent discoveries, particularly from microorganisms inhabiting Antarctic and other extreme environments, have repositioned DPXT as an adaptive pigment shaped by intense environmental pressures. Its extended polyene chain and membrane-associated behavior suggest roles in membrane stabilization and protection against ultraviolet radiation and oxidative stress, features that may hold relevance for food and biotechnological applications. This review integrates historical and recent knowledge on DPXT, covering its structural characteristics, biosynthetic pathways, ecological function, and emerging technological relevance. Special attention is given to microbial sources, particularly Actinomycetota from extreme environments, and to recent advances in microbial genomics, metabolic engineering, and sustainable bioprocess development that enable the production and exploration of C50 carotenoids beyond their native extremophilic context. The analysis highlights DPXT as a representative example of stress-resilient carotenoids, with physicochemical and membrane-interacting properties that may offer advantages for future food and biotechnological systems. Although significant challenges remain in cultivation strategies, yield optimization, and downstream recovery, advances in microbial cell factories and green extraction technologies open new opportunities for valorizing C50 carotenoids. This review bridges extremophile microbiology, carotenoid biochemistry, and sustainable food innovation, positioning DPXT as an emerging molecule that may expand the functional and structural landscape of carotenoids relevant to food science.

Carotenoids↗
PubMed2002

Supercritical fluid extraction of lycopene from tomato processing byproducts.

Tomato seeds and skins acquired from the byproduct of a local tomato processing facility were studied for supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of phytochemicals. The extracts were analyzed for lycopene, beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, alpha-tocopherol, gamma-tocopherol, and delta-tocopherol content using high-performance liquid chromatography-electrochemical detection and compared to a chemically extracted control. SFEs were carried out using CO(2) at seven temperatures (32-86 degrees C) and six pressures (13.78-48.26 MPa). The effect of CO(2) flow rate and volume also was investigated. The results indicated that the percentage of lycopene extracted increased with elevated temperature and pressure until a maximum recovery of 38.8% was reached at 86 degrees C and 34.47 MPa, after which the amount of lycopene extracted decreased. Conditions for the optimum extraction of lycopene from 3 g of raw material were determined to be 86 degrees C, 34.47 MPa, and 500 mL of CO(2) at a flow rate of 2.5 mL/min. These conditions resulted in the extraction of 61.0% of the lycopene (7.19 microg lycopene/g).

Carotenoids↗
PubMed2002

Partial purification and kinetic characterization of a carotenoid cleavage enzyme from quince fruit (Cydonia oblonga).

For the first time, a cytosolic carotenoid cleavage enzyme isolated from quince (Cydonia oblonga) fruit is described. The enzyme was partially purified by using centrifugation, acetone precipitation, ultrafiltration (300 kD, 50 kD), isoelectric focusing (pH 3-10), and sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (7.5%). In this way, an enzymatically active protein fraction was obtained that contained three similar proteins, all exhibiting molecular weights in the range of 20 kD. Using beta-carotene as substrate, the enzyme activity was detected spectrophotometrically at a wavelength of 505 nm. The time constant of the reaction was 8.2 min, the Michaelis constant (K(m)) was 11.0 micromol x L(-1), and the maximum velocity (v(max)) was 0.083 micromol x L(-1) x min(-1) x mg(protein)(-1). The optimum temperature was above 50 degrees C.

Carotenoids↗