Strategies for production of hydrophobic compounds

Production of hydrophobic or lipophilic compounds via biosynthesis in microbes is fraught with challenges. Since they cannot transverse the cell membrane and exit the cell, they can accumulate in intracellular hydrophobic microenvironments like the internal hydrophobic layer of the cell membrane. As specific yield of these products increases, cytotoxic effects become apparent causing production of the biomolecule to cease or even cell death. Strategies that have evolved in recent years to engineer greater storage capacity in microbes producing hydrophobic compounds will be discussed.

Automated summary

The production of hydrophobic or lipophilic compounds through biosynthesis in microbes is challenging due to their accumulation in intracellular hydrophobic microenvironments. This can result in cytotoxic effects, leading to the cessation of biomolecule production or even cell death. This article discusses strategies that have been developed in recent years to engineer greater storage capacity in microbes producing hydrophobic compounds.