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Synthesising agarwood aroma compounds through selective oxidation of alpha-bulnesene

Image from Licence Details: Synthesising agarwood aroma compounds through selective oxidation of alpha-bulnesene

Applications: Fragrance, Cosmetics

Features Benefits
  • Biotransformation of α-bulnesene by cytochrome P450BM3 into key aroma compounds of agarwood. The starting material is derived from patchouli oil.
  • Agarwood-producing Aquilaria trees have been listed as threatened species since 2006. This process provides a more sustainable source for agarwood aroma compounds by using patchouli, a much more abundant resource.
  • Formation of the lactone involves a one-pot enzyme cascade using two variants of the same enzyme (cytochrome P450BM3).
  • More robust and low-cost process compared to conventional cascades that use different enzymes.
  • Engineered P450BM3 variants with high activity and regioselectivity (>90%) for C15 oxidation of α-bulnesene.
  • Much higher yield compared to the resource intensity of conventional extraction, where typically 70kg of agarwood yields just 20g of oil.
  • Synthesis of both the aldehyde and lactone by the oxidation of α-bulnesene.
  • The hydroxylated products of alpha-bulnesene could additionally have wider flavour, fragrance or biological properties.

Available for:

  • Licensing
  • Co-development
  • Consulting
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