Advances in biochemistry and the biotechnological production of taxifolin and its derivatives.

Taxifolin (dihydroquercetin) and its derivatives are medicinally important flavanonols with wide distribution in plants. These compounds have been isolated from various plants, such as milk thistle, onions, french maritime, and tamarind. In general, they are commercially generated in semi-synthetic forms. Taxifolin and related compounds are biosynthesized via phenylpropanoid pathway, and most of the biosynthetic steps have been functionally characterized. The knowledge gained through the detailed investigation of their biosynthesis has provided the foundation for the reconstruction of biosynthetic pathways. Plant and microbial based platforms are utilized for the expression of such pathways for generating taxifolin-related compounds, either by whole cell biotransformation, or through reconfiguration of the genetic circuits. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the biotechnological production of taxifolin and its derivatives. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.