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.

The invention provides a novel class of natural azaphilone pigments, called atrorosins, and methods for their production. The methods for the production of atrorosins include production by fermentation using a fungal species belonging to the genus Talaromyces, preferably the species Talaromycesatroroseus. The use of the novel atrorosins pigments as a colouring agent for food items and/or non-food items, and for cosmetics.

Methods and processes for producing aerobic digestion products, such as organic acids, from a low-rank coal substrate are provided. Also provided are multistage bioreactor systems for carrying out the described methods and processes. In another aspect, product compositions comprising organic acids produced by the described methods and processes are provided, as well as methods for their use, including for the improvement of soil quality and/or plant growth.

Nodulisporic acids (NAs) comprise a group of indole diterpenes known for their potent insecticidal activities; however, biosynthesis of NAs by its natural producer, Hypoxylon pulicicidum (Nodulisporium sp.) is exceptionally difficult to achieve. The identification of genes responsible for NA production could enable biosynthetic pathway optimization to provide access to NAs for commercial applications. Obtaining useful quantities of NAs using published fermentations methods is challenging, making gene knockout studies an undesirable method to confirm gene function. Alternatively, heterologous gene expression of H. pulicicidum genes in a more robust host species like Penicillium paxilli provides a way to rapidly identify the function of genes that play a role in NA biosynthesis. In this work, we identified the function of four secondary-metabolic genes necessary for the biosynthesis of nodulisporic acid F (NAF) and reconstituted these genes in the genome of P. paxilli to enable heterologous production of NAF in this fungus.

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.

##STR00001##

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.

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, among other things, is an engineered non-plant cell that produces a tropane alkaloid product, a precursor of a tropane alkaloid product, or a derivative of a tropane alkaloid product. A method for producing a tropane alkaloid, a precursor of a tropane alkaloid product, or a derivative of a tropane alkaloid product that makes use of the cell is also described.

Methods and systems are provided for producing codeinone within an engineered non-plant cell. The method comprises, within the engineered non-plant cell, producing a thebaine product. The method also comprises, within the engineered non-plant cell, contacting the thebaine product with an enzyme having thebaine 6-O-demethylase activity, thereby producing a neopinone product. Additionally, the method comprises, within the engineered non-plant cell, contacting the neopinone product with a neopinone isomerase, thereby producing a codeinone product.