(−)-α-Bisabolol Production in Engineered <i>Escherichia coli</i> Expressing a Novel (−)-α-Bisabolol Synthase from the Globe Artichoke <i>Cynara cardunculus</i> var. <i>Scolymus</i>

Abstract

(-)-α-Bisabolol is a functional ingredient in various health and cosmetic products and has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing properties. (-)-α-Bisabolol is chemically synthesized and produced by steam distillation of essential oils extracted from Brazilian Candeia (<i>Eremanthus erythropappus</i>). To sustainably produce pure (-)-α-bisabolol, we previously engineered <i>Escherichia coli</i> to produce 9.1 g/L (-)-α-bisabolol via heterologous mevalonate pathways and (-)-α-bisabolol synthase (BOS) from German chamomile, <i>Matricaria recutita</i> (MrBOS). BOS has only been reported in MrBOS and Brazilian Candeia (EeBOS). The limited availability of BOS has made it difficult to achieve high titer and yield and large-scale (-)-α-bisabolol production. We identified a novel BOS in globe artichoke (CcBOS) and examined its functionality <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i>. CcBOS showed higher catalytic efficiency and (-)-α-bisabolol production rates than those from MrBOS or EeBOS. In fed-batch fermentation, CcBOS generated the highest reported (-)-α-bisabolol titer to date (23.4 g/L). These results may facilitate economically viable industrial (-)-α-bisabolol production.