Production of <scp>l</scp> -Theanine by Escherichia coli in the Absence of Supplemental Ethylamine
Ryota Hagihara, Shoto Ohno, Mikiro Hayashi, Kazuhiko Tabata, Hirofumi Endo
Abstract
l -Theanine is widely used in food additives and dietary supplements. Industrial production of l -theanine uses the toxic and highly flammable precursor ethylamine, raising production costs. In this study, we used Escherichia coli to engineer two biosynthetic pathways that produce l -theanine from glucose and ammonia in the absence of supplemental ethylamine. This study establishes a foundation for safely and economically producing l -theanine.
Topics & Concepts
EthylamineTheanineFood additiveEscherichia coliChemistryFood scienceBiochemistryAmmoniaOrganic chemistryGreen teaGeneMicrobial Metabolic Engineering and BioproductionBiofuel production and bioconversionEnzyme Catalysis and Immobilization