Benzaldehyde Biosynthesis
Purdue researchers have developed a less time-intensive, enzyme-based method for high-yield benzaldehyde synthesis, a key compound for the flavors, fragrances, cosmetics, and antifungals industries.
Researchers at Purdue University have improved the efficiency of natural mechanisms for synthesis of benzaldehyde, an aromatic compound that serves as a pollinator attractant, flavor, and antifungal compound, among other uses. After vanillin, benzaldehyde is the second most important chemical for flavor and food industry. Conventional benzaldehyde synthesis is a two-step process and uses allergenic and pyrogenic compounds, and microbes, which is very time and energy consuming. The method developed at Purdue University for benzaldehyde biosynthesis uses specific enzymes, which was cloned by the researchers and enriched in plants to yield high levels of benzaldehyde production. The cloned enzymes have a distinct ratio of two subunits that must be maintained for optimal yield of benzaldehyde. This method of benzaldehyde production will better serve the needs of the dyes, plastic additives, cosmetics, fragrances, flavors, and antifungals industries.
Advantages
- Improved natural production mechanism
- Less time-intensive than industry-standard method
Applications
- Dyes
- Plastics additives
- Cosmetics
- Fragrances
- Flavors
- Antifungals
Technology Validation: The researchers identified ideal cross-species subunit combinations for maximum benzaldehyde synthesis.
TRL: 3
Intellectual Property:
Provisional-Gov. Funding, 2021-10-25, United States | NATL-Patent, 2022-10-25, Europe | PCT-Gov. Funding, 2022-10-25, WO | NATL-Patent, 2024-04-24, United States
Keywords: Benzaldehyde synthesis, aromatic compound, pollinator attractant, flavor chemical, antifungal compound, biosynthesis, specific enzymes, high yield production, dyes industry, plastics additives, Benzaldehyde synthase, Biotechnology, Food and Nutrition, Heterodimeric enzyme