The biotechnological potential and design of novel carotenoids by gene combination in Escherichia coli

Carotenoids are antioxidants with considerable pharmaceutical potential. Mo re than 600 carotenoid structures are known but their availability is limit ed owing to practical difficulties associated with chemical synthesis and i solation from microorganisms or plant tissue. To overcome some of these pro blems, heterologous expression of carotenoid genes in Escherichia coil can be used for the synthesis of rare derivatives or even of novel carotenoids. Novel and rare carotenoids can be obtained by combining carotenoid genes f rom different host species in E. coli.