The present invention is related to a method for increasing the trans-specificity of a beta-carotene oxidase (BCO), particularly insect BCO, to be used in the production of vitamin A aldehyde (retinal) from conversion of beta-carotene, with at least about 75 to 100% of retinal in the trans-isoform.

Described herein are genetically-engineered organisms comprising synthetic operons for the production of isoprenoids, carotenoids, and retinoids, optimized for use in a hydrocarbonoclastic organism, and methods for the synthesis and extraction of isoprenoids in a biofilm bioreactor comprising the genetically-engineered organisms.

Provided herein are recombinant nucleic acid molecules, nucleic acid constructs, fusion enzymes, transformed host cells, and methods for making aroma compounds alpha-ionone or beta-ionone.

Provided are a microorganism for producing retinol, in which retinol biosynthetic genes are introduced; and a method of producing retinol, the method including a step of culturing the microorganism. The microorganism of the present invention may have an improved ability to produce retinol, and thus it may be efficiently used in producing retinol. Based on the method of producing retinol, the method including the step of culturing the microorganism, the retinol production efficiency may be improved.

The present invention is related to a novel enzymatic process for production of vitamin A aldehyde (retinal) via stereoselective conversion of beta-carotene which process includes the use of trans-selective enzymes having activity as beta-carotene oxidases (BCOs), in particular having preference for trans-retinal. 5 Said process is in particular useful for biotechnological production of vitamin A.

A method for producing a carotenoid or apocarotenoid is disclosed. The method comprises the step of expressing in a host cell an expression module comprising an expression vector having a coding region encoding at least one optimised carotenoid or apocarotenoid generating enzyme, the coding region being operably linked to a promoter. A host cell comprising an expression vector having a coding region encoding at least one optimised carotenoid or apocarotenoid generating enzyme, the coding region being operably linked to a promoter is also provided together with a kit.

A method for producing a carotenoid or apocarotenoid is disclosed. The method comprises the step of expressing in a host cell an expression module comprising an expression vector having a coding region encoding at least one optimised carotenoid or apocarotenoid generating enzyme, the coding region being operably linked to a promoter. A host cell comprising an expression vector having a coding region encoding at least one optimised carotenoid or apocarotenoid generating enzyme, the coding region being operably linked to a promoter is also provided together with a kit.

A method for producing a carotenoid or apocarotenoid is disclosed. The method comprises the step of expressing in a host cell an expression module comprising an expression vector having a coding region encoding at least one optimised carotenoid or apocarotenoid generating enzyme, the coding region being operably linked to a promoter. A host cell comprising an expression vector having a coding region encoding at least one optimised carotenoid or apocarotenoid generating enzyme, the coding region being operably linked to a promoter is also provided together with a kit.

The present disclosure relates to a novel beta-carotene 15,15-oxygenase variant, a microorganism including the variant, a method for producing a retinoid using the microorganism, a composition for producing a retinoid, and use of the variant or microorganism for producing a retinoid.

A method for producing a carotenoid or apocarotenoid is disclosed. The method comprises the step of expressing in a host cell an expression module comprising an expression vector having a coding region encoding at least one optimised carotenoid or apocarotenoid generating enzyme, the coding region being operably linked to a promoter. A host cell comprising an expression vector having a coding region encoding at least one optimised carotenoid or apocarotenoid generating enzyme, the coding region being operably linked to a promoter is also provided together with a kit.