The potential of metabolic engineering for sustainable phytosterol production

Abstract Phytosterols, essential components pivotal to plant membrane stability and celebrated for their extensive pharmacological benefits, have garnered considerable attention across industries, including food fortification, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals. The escalating demand for phytosterols, fueled by their myriad health advantages, underscores the urgent need for more efficient synthesis methodologies. Among these, metabolic engineering stands out as a promising approach due to its biologically driven process, which operates under stable conditions, thereby enhancing reaction specificity and drastically reducing the production of undesirable by-products. This review consolidates the latest research endeavors focused on enhancing phytosterol accumulation, providing a comprehensive analysis of strategies including gene manipulation, enzyme engineering, metabolic engineering, and the utilization of diverse host organisms such as bacteria, algae, and yeast. We explore recent advancements in phytosterol biosynthesis and engineering, providing a comprehensive overview of the field’s current state and examining promising methodologies for future research and applications.