Biosynthesis of pterostilbene in Escherichia coli from resveratrol on
macroporous adsorption resin using a two-step substrate addition
strategy
Abstract
Pterostilbene (PST), a 3,5- O-methylated derivative of
resveratrol (RSV), is a natural potent antioxidant produced by some
plants in trace amounts as defense compounds. It exhibits various
health-promoting activities, such as anticancer, antiviral, and
antimicrobial effects. Large-scale biosynthesis of PST is crucial due to
the challenges associated with extracting it from plants. This study
aims to develop an efficient method for PST production using an
engineered E. coli strain by feeding RSV as an intermediate
compound. We introduced a two-step substrate addition strategy combined
with immobilized RSV (IMRSV) on macroporous adsorption resin (MAR) to
enhance PST production. Five MARs were selected for RSV immobilization,
and the substrate additions strategy and fermentation parameters for PST
synthesis were optimized. A maximum PST concentration of 402.78 ± 9.20
mg/L was achieved, representing a 239% increase over the control. The
PST titer reached 395.20 ± 23.89 mg/L in a 3-L bioreactor. In
conclusion, the combination of a two-step substrate adding system and
IMRSV is a promising approach for the economical and industrial-scale
production of PST.