High-Titer Bio-Styrene Production Afforded by Whole-Cell Cascade Biotransformation

Biosynthetic routes based on cost-efficient, eco-friendly, and sustainable platforms for compounds such as styrene are urgently needed. The biosynthesis of styrene from L-phenylalanine (L-Phe) via trans-cinnamate has long been established, but styrene toxicity limits yields. This study demonstrates that whole-cell cascade biotransformation employing an E. coli consortium expressing respectively phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and ferulic acid decarboxylase negates both the issue of styrene toxicity and the need for enzyme purification. Using resting or lyophilised cells, efficient conversion of L-Phe to styrene (up to similar to 24 g/L) is readily achieved and combined with robust extraction methods. The use of L-Phe enriched biomass with the E. coli consortium yields an equally robust and rapid production and isolation of renewable styrene. This study establishes an improved strategy for industrial bio-production of styrene, and by extension other toxic or reactive chemicals from corresponding bio-compatible precursors.