Combinatorial Approach for Sustainable CoQ10 Production in Microbes: Possible Strategies and Challenges

Abstract

Ubiquinones (CoQ10) are produced in the mitochondrial membrane, which executes bioenergetics as electron and proton carriers, and have demonstrated such extensive health benefits that they are considered “super vitamin.” Currently, wild-type and genetically modified microorganisms (Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Paracoccus denitrificans, Rhodobacter sphaeroides, and Escherichia coli) are being explored for CoQ10 production. However, a poor production rate limits commercial production by bacterial biosynthesis. Hence, further process improvement and identification of challenges in CoQ10 bioproduction require review. Researchers have used gene editing and metabolic engineering to genetically modulate the CoQ10 biosynthesis pathway to develop engineered microorganisms that efficiently produce CoQ10. Site-directed mutagenesis has emerged as a promising approach for the enhancement of microbial strains toward CoQ10 production. Moreover, various precursor supplementation in media and the development of mutant strains have resulted in improved CoQ10 yields. This review focuses on future strategies such as modification/overexpressing key enzymes, mutagenesis, and media optimization for enhanced CoQ10 production.