Synthetic enzymes for the production of coniferyl alcohol, coniferylaldehyde, ferulic acid, vanillin and vanillic acid and their use

Abstract

The present invention relates to synthetic enzymes for the production of coniferyl alcohol, coniferylaldehyde, ferulic acid, vanillin and vanillic acid, the use thereof for the production of coniferyl alcohol, coniferylaldehyde, ferulic acid, vanillin and vanillic acid, DNA coding for these enzymes and microorganisms transformed with this DNA.

1 . Synthetic enzymes for the production of coniferyl alcohol, coniferylaldehyde, ferulic acid, vanillin and vanillic acid from eugenol.  
     
     
         2 . Synthetic enzymes according to  claim 1  selected from the group comprising: 
 a) eugenol hydroxylase,  
 b) coniferyl alcohol dehydrogenase,  
 c) coniferylaldehyde dehydrogenase,  
 d) ferulic acid deacylase and  
 e) vanillin dehydrogenase.  
 
     
     
         3 . DNA coding for the enzymes according to claims  1  and  2  as well as partial sequences and functional equivalents thereof.  
     
     
         4 . Cosmid clones containing the DNA according to  claim 3 .  
     
     
         5 . Vectors containing the DNA according to  claim 3 .  
     
     
         6 . Microorganisms transformed with the DNA according to  claim 3 .  
     
     
         7 . The use of the DNA according to  claim 3  for the transformation of microorganisms.  
     
     
         8 . The use of microorganisms according to  claim 6  for the production of coniferyl alcohol, coniferylaldehyde, ferulic acid, vanillin and vanillic acid.  
     
     
         9 . A process for the production of coniferyl alcohol from eugenol, characterised in that the reaction is carried out in the presence of eugenol hydroxylase.  
     
     
         10 . A process for the production of coniferylaldehyde from coniferyl alcohol, characterised in that the reaction is carried out in the presence of coniferyl alcohol dehydrogenase.  
     
     
         11 . A process for the production of ferulic acid from coniferylaldehyde, characterised in that the reaction is carried out in the presence of coniferylaldehyde dehydrogenase.  
     
     
         12 . A process for the production of vanillin from ferulic acid, characterised in that the reaction is carried out in the presence of ferulic acid deacylase.  
     
     
         13 . A process for the production of vanillic acid from vanillin, characterised in that the reaction is carried out in the presence of vanillin dehydrogenase.