Farnesene – Nature’s Bioactive Ally: From Plant Defense to Sustainable Jet Fuel and Human Health Benefits
Devayani Sarmah *
Division of Plant Pathology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, Odisha, India and Department of Plant Pathology, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam, India.
Munmi Borah
Department of Plant Pathology, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam, India.
Kanuri Komala Siva Katyayani
Department of Plant Pathology, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam, India.
R.M. Vijaya Ramakrishnan
Department of Plant Pathology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
Preetam Baruah
Department of Plant Pathology, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam, India.
Kasturi Sarmah
Department of Agricultural Entomology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
Greeshma Varghese
Department of Plant Pathology, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Farnesenes are C₁₅ isoprenoids comprising six structurally related α- and β-isomers. These sesquiterpene volatile compounds play a crucial role in plant defense mechanisms and are associated with insect attraction, as well as the development of superficial scald in apples and pears during cold storage. Farnesenes hold substantial economic importance across various industries, including bioenergy, food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Additionally, they have been recognized as promising alternatives to conventional jet fuels due to their high cetane number, low greenhouse gas emissions, and superior cryogenic properties. Farnesene occurs naturally in several plant species, including rose, rosemary, citrus, apple, cannabis, gardenia, and basil. However, its biosynthesis in plants is inherently limited, yielding insufficient amounts for industrial demands. To address this, metabolic engineering has been used to develop microbial cell factories for farnesene production. Modified microorganisms like Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Escherichia coli, and Pichia pastoris have been engineered to enhance farnesene biosynthesis, providing a sustainable alternative for commercial production.
Keywords: Farnesene, isomers, isoprenoids, Escherichia coli, Pichia pastoris