biostudies-literatureMuthaliff NVMAAgency for Science, Technology and Research500https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11530489biostudies-literatureUnknown108(1)9-Carbon aldehydes such as (2E)-nonenal, (3Z)-nonenal, and (2E,6Z)-nonadienal are important melon and cucumber fragrance compounds. Currently, these molecules are produced either synthetically, which faces consumer aversion, or through biotransformation using plant-extracted enzymes, which is costly and inefficient. In this study, we constructed a Saccharomyces cerevisiae platform for the whole cell biotransformation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) to 9-carbon aldehydes. Heterologous expression of lipoxygenase (LOX) from Nicotiana benthamiana and hydroperoxide lyase (HPL) from Cucumis melo (melon) in S. cerevisiae enabled the production of (2E)-nonenal from readily available polyunsaturated fatty acid substrates. A 5.5-fold increase in (2E)-nonenal titer was then achieved utilizing Applied microbiology and biotechnologySaccharomyces cerevisiae whole cell biotransformation for the production of aldehyde flavors and fragrances.PMC11530489H20H6a0028Ng YZMuthaliff NVMAAng ELGuo WMfalseSaccharomyces cerevisiae whole cell biotransformation for the production of aldehyde flavors and fragrances.9-Carbon aldehydes such as (2E)-nonenal, (3Z)-nonenal, and (2E,6Z)-nonadienal are important melon and cucumber fragrance compounds. Currently, these molecules are produced either synthetically, which faces consumer aversion, or through biotransformation using plant-extracted enzymes, which is costly and inefficient. In this study, we constructed a Saccharomyces cerevisiae platform for the whole cell biotransformation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) to 9-carbon aldehydes. Heterologous expression of lipoxygenase (LOX) from Nicotiana benthamiana and hydroperoxide lyase (HPL) from Cucumis melo (melon) in S. cerevisiae enabled the production of (2E)-nonenal from readily available polyunsaturated fatty acid substrates. A 5.5-fold increase in (2E)-nonenal titer was then achieved utilizing 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Nov2026-06-02T04:08:40.084Z2025-04-21T21:44:45.638ZS-EPMC115304893948552110.1007/s00253-024-13335-8