Microbial Biotransformation of Terpenoid Compounds

Microbial biotransformation of terpenoid compounds harnesses the metabolic versatility of bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms to convert plant-derived terpenes into value-added products. Terpenoids form one of the largest families of natural products, encompassing simple monoterpenes such as limonene and α-pinene, sesquiterpenes like pinene derivatives, and complex triterpenoids. Through oxidation, reduction, hydroxylation and rearrangement reactions catalysed by microbial enzymes, these hydrocarbons can be transformed into flavour and fragrance ingredients, pharmaceutical precursors, agrochemicals and bioactive molecules. Microbial cells offer operational stability, ease of genetic manipulation and the capacity for multi-step cascade reactions within a single vessel, rendering them attractive biocatalysts for sustainable chemistry. Advances in genome editing, systems biology and bioprocess engineering have enabled the rational design of strains with enhanced substrate tolerance, regioselectivity and product titres. At the biorefinery scale, coupling terpene-rich feedstocks—such as citrus peel, forestry residues or engineered yeast—with tailor-made microbial catalysts underpins circular-economy approaches, reducing waste and lowering production costs. Despite challenges in mass transfer of hydrophobic substrates, toxicity management and enzyme specificity, the field is advancing towards industrial viability, driven by growing demand for greener synthetic routes and the unique chemical space accessible through biotransformation.

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Microbial Biotransformation of Terpenoid Compounds publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in microbial biotransformation of terpenoid compounds across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Terpenoid: A large class of natural compounds derived from isoprene units, including hydrocarbons and their oxygenated derivatives.

Biotransformation: The chemical modification of a compound by living cells or enzymes, often resulting in structural diversification.

Microbial biocatalyst: A microorganism or its enzyme repertoire used to catalyse specific chemical reactions under mild conditions.

Cytochrome P450: A family of heme-containing enzymes that catalyse oxidation and hydroxylation reactions in primary and secondary metabolism.

References

1. Overview of the Biotransformation of Limonene and α-Pinene from Wood and Citrus Residues by Microorganisms. Waste (2023).
2. Genomic and Transcriptomic Study for Screening Genes Involved in the Limonene Biotransformation of Penicillium digitatum DSM 62840. Frontiers in Microbiology (2020).
3. Bioprospection of the bacterial β-myrcene-biotransforming trait in the rhizosphere. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology (2023).