An overview of microbial indigo-forming enzymes

Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2020 Feb;104(3):925-933. doi: 10.1007/s00253-019-10292-5. Epub 2019 Dec 13.

Abstract

Indigo is one of the oldest textile dyes and was originally prepared from plant material. Nowadays, indigo is chemically synthesized at a large scale to satisfy the demand for dyeing jeans. The current indigo production processes are based on fossil feedstocks; therefore, it is highly attractive to develop a more sustainable and environmentally friendly biotechnological process for the production of this popular dye. In the past decades, a number of natural and engineered enzymes have been identified that can be used for the synthesis of indigo. This mini-review provides an overview of the various microbial enzymes which are able to produce indigo and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each biocatalytic system.

Keywords: Flavoprotein monooxygenase; Indigo; Indole; Naphthalene dioxygenase; P450 monoxygenase; Peroxygenase; Styrene monoxygenase.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bacteria / enzymology*
  • Biocatalysis
  • Biotechnology
  • Coloring Agents / metabolism*
  • Indigo Carmine / metabolism*
  • Oxygenases / metabolism

Substances

  • Coloring Agents
  • Indigo Carmine
  • Oxygenases

Grants and funding