Methods that may be used for the manufacture of a class of chemical compounds known as morphinans, including neopine, are provided. Compositions useful for the synthesis of morphinans, including neopine, are also provided.

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Described are methods including cell wall-associated melanin extraction and extracting melanin from microbes producing extracellular vesicles comprising melanin. Further described are composition comprising melanin, melanin coated articles and methods of coating an article. Uses of melanin in methods of heat generation and microwave radiation protection are also described.

Engineered non-plant cells that produce a benzylisoquinoline alkaloid product that is a derivative of canadine along a metabolic pathway that converts canadine, or an analog of canadine, to a noscapinoid product are provided. Methods of culturing engineered non-plant cells that produce a noscapinoid product and pharmaceutical compositions are also provided.

A method of demethylizing an opioid to a nor-opioid is provided. The method comprises contacting an opioid with at least one enzyme. Contacting the opioid with the at least one enzyme converts the opioid to a nor-opioid. A method of converting a nor-opioid to a nal-opioid is provided. The method comprises contacting a nor-opioid with at least one enzyme. Contacting the nor-opioid with the at least one enzyme converts the nor-opioid to a nal-opioid.

A method of demethylizing an opioid to a nor-opioid is provided. The method comprises contacting an opioid with at least one enzyme. Contacting the opioid with the at least one enzyme converts the opioid to a nor-opioid. A method of converting a nor-opioid to a nal-opioid is provided. The method comprises contacting a nor-opioid with at least one enzyme. Contacting the nor-opioid with the at least one enzyme converts the nor-opioid to a nal-opioid.

Herein are provided microbial factories, in particular yeast factories, for production of strictosidine aglycone and optionally other plant-derived compounds. Also provided are methods for producing strictosidine aglycone in a microorganism, as well as useful nucleic acids, vectors and host cells.

Provided herein are compositions and processes for producing compositions from an algae that overproduces protoporphyrin IX (PPIX). Also provided are methods of growing PPIX overproducing algae, methods of isolating PPIX-containing portions from algae cultures and compositions and methods of making food products with PPIX produced by algae. Provided herein are strains and methods to select strains that overproduce PPIX. Also provided are compositions, including edible compositions that include PPIX produced from algae. Specifically, the algal strain over-producing PPIX is an engineered strain of The algal biomass may be used for preparing meat analogues wherein the PPIX compound imparts a meat-like colour and flavour.

A recombinant microbial host cell having improved in vivo conversion of reticuline and derivatives thereof (such as thebaine and/or oripavine) to relevant downstream opioids (such as neopinone, oripavine, northebaine, nororipavine or morphinone) and related compounds (such as heroin, morphine, codeine, thebaine, oripavine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxymorphone, buprenorphine, naltrexone, naloxone or nalbuphine), wherein the microbial (such as fungal) host cell is heterologously expressing at least one functional transporter protein capable of transporting reticuline or a derivative thereof (such as thebaine and/or oripavine) and a heterologously expressed enzyme capable of acting upon reticuline or a derivative thereof. The invention also relates to uses of the microbial host cells and methods of making an opioid compound and/or opioid precursor compound and/or opioid derivative of interest.

A recombinant microbial host cell having improved in vivo conversion of reticuline and derivatives thereof (such as thebaine and/or oripavine) to relevant downstream opioids (such as neopinone, oripavine, northebaine, nororipavine or morphinone) and related compounds (such as heroin, morphine, codeine, thebaine, oripavine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxymorphone, buprenorphine, naltrexone, naloxone or nalbuphine), wherein the microbial (such as fungal) host cell is heterologously expressing at least one functional transporter protein capable of transporting reticuline or a derivative thereof (such as thebaine and/or oripavine) and a heterologously expressed enzyme capable of acting upon reticuline or a derivative thereof. The invention also relates to uses of the microbial host cells and methods of making an opioid compound and/or opioid precursor compound and/or opioid derivative of interest.

The present invention relates to a recombinant microorganism having an enhanced ability to produce heme, coproporphyrin III (Copro III), and uroporphyrin III (Uro III), and a method for producing heme, coproporphyrin III, and uroporphyrin III using same. When using a recombinant microorganism incorporating a gene that codes glutamyl-tRNA reductase (HemA), glutamate-1-semialdehyde aminotransferase (HemL), and diphtheria toxin repressor (DtxR), which is a transcription factor capable of inducing the expression of genes related to heme metabolic pathways, porphyrin-based structures can be produced at high yield, and thus the method is economic.