Screening of yeasts for the production of 2-phenylethanol (rose aroma) in organic waste-based media.

Abstract

2-Phenylethanol (2-PE) is an alcohol with a pleasant rosy scent, which is commonly used in the food, fragrance and cosmetic industries as an aroma compound and preservative. Promising sources of 2-PE are yeasts, but still the biotechnological route has not been economically competitive to chemical synthesis. Thus, the first challenging goal to develop biotechnological production of 2-PE is the identification of highly productive yeasts and cheap feedstock. This study demonstrates for the first time the promising production of 2-PE by selected yeasts in organic waste-based media. This could pave the way for development of a cheaper method of 2-PE bioproduction.