Synthesis of chlorogenic acid and p-coumaroyl shikimates from glucose using engineered Escherichia coli

Chlorogenic acid and hydroxylcinnamoyl shikimates are major dietary phenolics as well as antioxidants, with recently discovered biological, activities including protection against chemotheraphy side effects and prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Certain fruits and vegetables produce these compounds, although a microbial system can also be utilized for synthesis of chlorogenic acid and hydroxylcinnamoyl shikimates. In this study, we engineered Escherichia coli to produce chlorogenic acid and p-coumaroyl shikimates from glucose. For the synthesis of chlorogenic acid, two E. coli strains were used; one strain for the synthesis of caffeic acid from glucose and the other strain for the synthesis of chlorogenic acid from caffeic acid and quinic acid. The final yield of chlorogenic acid using this approach was approximately 78 mg/l. To synthesize p-coumaroyl shikimates, wild-type E. coli as well as several mutants were tested. Mutant E. coli carrying deletions in three genes (tyrR, pheA, and aroL) produced 236 mg/l of p-coumaroyl shikimates.