MSU Technologies

Viridiflorol Production

INTRODUCTION:

Viridiflorol is a terpene bioproduct that has been isolated from the essential oils of a variety of plants including Melaleuca quinquenervia (broad-leaved paperbark). Terpenes make up a large class of natural plant products with applications that range from fragrances, cosmetics, to agrichemicals, insecticides and pharmaceuticals. The wide range of uses corresponds to the wide range of structures of terpenoid compounds. Viridiflorol specifically is used primarily in fragrances and flavorings. Additionally, it has been shown to have antimicrobial activity.

DESCRIPTION OF TECHNOLOGY

Our technology provides a method for producing the sesquiterpene viridiflorol with a fungal enzyme. Viridiflorol’s organoleptic properties include sweet, green, herbal, tropical fruit, and mint notes. Fungi are considered a great source of bioactive and structurally diverse terpenoids. Little is known about the genes responsible for the construction of these fungal terpenoid structures. We identified the gene SiTPS from Serendipita indica and tested its function. E. coli cells expressing SiTPS efficiently utilize the fifteen-carbon precursor FPP to synthesize viridiflorol. The E. coli platform allows simple, cost-effective manufacturing of viridiflorol. The new route will provide specific biosynthetic access to an industrially relevant fragrance chemical. Viridiflorol has applications in the perfume industry, or as bioactive molecule with antimicrobial activity as reported against tuberculosis or potentially other clinically relevant strains of MDR bacteria as well as relevant plant pathogens. TEC2019-0180

BENEFITS

Efficient production of viridiflorol
- Very pleasant fragrance molecule
- Anti-fungal-prevents fungal spore germination
- Anti-mycobacterial
May be combined with the lipid-droplet based production platform of TEC 2018-0153.

APPLICATIONS

Low-cost, efficient production of viridiflorol for:
- Perfumes and fragrances
- Mouthwashes
- Used in essential oils
- Plant protection against pathogens