High level production of flavonoid rhamnosides by metagenome-derived Glycosyltransferase C in Escherichia coli utilizing dextrins of starch as a single carbon source.

Flavonoids exert a wide variety of biological functions that are highly attractive for the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. However, their application is often limited by low water solubility and poor bioavailability, which can generally be relieved through glycosylation. Glycosyltransferase C (GtfC), a metagenome-derived, bacterial glycosyltransferase, was used to produce novel and rare rhamnosides of various flavonoids, including chrysin, diosmetin, biochanin A, and hesperetin.