Plant enzymes for bioconversion

Abstract

The invention provides a method for converting sesquiterpene. The method includes reacting a sesquiterpene substract with a sesquiterpene converting enzyme. The enzyme is from a species or organism containing sesquiterpenes. The sesquiterpene substrate is not naturally present in the species or organism.

1 . A method for converting a substrate and generating a conversion product comprising subjecting said substrate to an enzyme derived from a species or organism containing sesquiterpenes. 
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  for converting a substrate and generating a conversion product comprising subjecting said substrate to an enzyme derived from a plant species containing sesquiterpenes. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2  for converting a substrate and generating a conversion product comprising subjecting said substrate to an enzyme derived from a plant species containing sesquiterpene lactones. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said species does not comprise a citrus species. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1  for converting a substrate and generating a conversion product comprising subjecting said substrate to an enzyme derived from an Asteraceae species. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 5  wherein said Asteraceae species comprises  Cichorium  sp. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 5  wherein said Asteraceae species comprises  Lactuca  spp. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the conversion product comprises an alcohol, aldehyde/ketone or carboxylic acid. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said substrate comprises a terpene. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 9  wherein said terpene comprises a sesquiterpene. 
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 9  wherein said terpene comprises valencene. 
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the conversion product comprises nootkaton. 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said enzyme comprises a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase. 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 13  wherein said enzyme comprises a sesquiterpene C12-hydroxylase. 
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 13  wherein said enzyme comprises germacrene A hydroxylase. 
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 13  wherein said enzyme comprises a sesquiterpenoid C2 hydroxylase. 
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 13  wherein said enzyme comprises (+)-costunolide C2 hydroxylase. 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 13  wherein said enzyme comprises a dehydrogenase. 
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 13  wherein said enzyme comprises a sesquiterpene alcohol or aldehyde dehydrogenase. 
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said enzyme is derived from an extract of said species. 
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said enzyme is present in a cell culture of said species. 
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said enzyme is present in an organ culture of said species. 
     
     
         23 . A method according to  claim 22  wherein said organ culture comprises a hairy root culture. 
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said enzyme comprises a recombinant enzyme. 
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 24  wherein said enzyme is derived from a transgenic plant. 
     
     
         26 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said enzyme is derived from a micro-organism. 
     
     
         27 . A method according to  claim 1  for the generation of a flavor, fragrance, pharmaceutical, or biocidal compound. 
     
     
         28 . A flavor, fragrance, pharmaceutical, or biocidal compound obtainable by a method according to  claim 27 . 
     
     
         29 . An isolated or purified enzyme derived from a species or organism containing sesquiterpenes. 
     
     
         30 . An enzyme according to  claim 29  derived from a plant species containing sesquiterpenes. 
     
     
         31 . An enzyme according to  claim 30  derived from a plant species containing sesquiterpene lactones. 
     
     
         32 . An enzyme according to  claim 29  wherein said species does not comprise a citrus species. 
     
     
         33 . An enzyme according to  claim 32  derived from an Asteraceae species. 
     
     
         34 . An enzyme according to  claim 33  wherein said Asteraceae species comprises  Chichorium  sp. 
     
     
         35 . An enzyme according to  claim 33  wherein said Asteraceae species comprises  Lactuca  spp. 
     
     
         36 . An isolated and/or recombinant nucleic acid encoding an enzyme according to  claim 29 . 
     
     
         37 . A host cell comprising a nucleic acid according to  claim 36 . 
     
     
         38 . An isolated and/or recombinant nucleic acid encoding enzyme according to  claim 30 . 
     
     
         39 . An isolated and/or recombinant nucleic acid encoding enzyme according to  claim 31 . 
     
     
         40 . An isolated and/or recombinant nucleic acid encoding enzyme according to  claim 32 . 
     
     
         41 . An isolated and/or recombinant nucleic acid encoding enzyme according to  claim 33 . 
     
     
         42 . An isolated and/or recombinant nucleic acid encoding enzyme according to  claim 34 . 
     
     
         43 . An isolated and/or recombinant nucleic acid encoding enzyme according to  claim 35 .