2-phenylethanol (2-PE) is a valuable aromatic alcohol with diverse applications in cosmetics, food, beverages, and pharmaceutical industries.Currently, 2-PE is produced either through chemical synthesis or by extraction from plant materials.However, both conventional production methods have their own limitations.Therefore, there is a need for more eco-friendly and cost-effective approaches to produce natural 2-PE.
Biotechnological routes, particularly 3 Piece Full Panel Bed microbial fermentations, hold promise for natural 2-PE production, especially when using low-cost substrates.In this study, 2-PE was produced by de novo synthesis via the shikimate pathway, using the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica in a medium composed of sugar beet molasses (SBM) and yeast extract (YE) as carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively.A genetically engineered strain was generated, in which the SUC2 gene was transformed, expressing the invertase enzyme, enabling Y.lipolytica to efficiently utilize SBM as a cost-effective substrate.
A central composite design allowed for the optimization of the Rod Holders concentrations of the carbon and nitrogen sources, resulting in approximately 0.71 g(2-PE)/L(culture medium).The results obtained highlight the potential of utilizing SBM as a low-cost substrate for 2-PE production, advancing biotechnological approaches in fragrance synthesis.