The plant secondary metabolite, β-caryophyllene, is a ubiquitous component of many plant
resins that has traditionally been used in the cosmetics industry to provide a woody, spicy
aroma to cosmetics and perfumes. Clinical studies have shown it to be potentially effective
as an antibiotic, anesthetic, and anti-inflammatory agent. Additionally, there is significant
interest in engineering phototrophic microorganisms with sesquiterpene synthase genes for
the production of biofuels. Currently, the isolation of β-caryophyllene relies on purification …