From Bugs to Bioplastics: Total (+)-Dihydrocarvide Biosynthesis by Engineered Escherichia coli.

The monoterpenoid lactone derivative (+)-dihydrocarvide ((+)-DHCD) can be polymerised to form shape-memory polymers. Synthetic biology routes from simple, inexpensive carbon sources are an attractive, alternative route over chemical synthesis from (R)-carvone. We have demonstrated a proof-of-principle in vivo approach for the complete biosynthesis of (+)-DHCD from glucose in Escherichia coli (6.

Biocatalytic Routes to Lactone Monomers for Polymer Production.

Monoterpenoids offer potential as biocatalytically derived monomer feedstocks for high-performance renewable polymers. We describe a biocatalytic route to lactone monomers menthide and dihydrocarvide employing Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenases (BVMOs) from Pseudomonas sp. HI-70 (CPDMO) and Rhodococcus sp.