Biotechnological production of crocetin and crocins using a carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase (CCD4) from <i>Nyctanthes arbor-tristis</i>.

ABSTRACT: Crocins are hydrophilic crocetin esters composed of a linear chain with glucose molecules added at the end. Crocins and crocetin are used as cosmetic agents and effective pharmaceuticals for the treatment of several diseases. Crocetin dialdehyde, an immediate precursor of crocetin, is derived by C7-C8(C7'-C8') cleavage of carotenoids, which is synthesized in a few plant species including Crocus sativus or Nyctanthes arbor-tristis. We investigated the genome of N. arbor-tristis to identify the enzyme responsible for the biosynthesis of crocetin dialdehyde in this plant and showed that an enzyme from the CCD4 subfamily catalyzed the cleavage of zeaxanthin to produce this apocarotenoid. This enzyme, NatCCD4.1, was further used for the microbial production of crocetin dial

SUBMITTER: Morote L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12575119 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature