Terpenes are an important class of natural secondary metabolites with a wide range of applications in food, pharmaceuticals, and biofuels. Currently, the traditional production methods of terpenes almost depend on plant extraction and chemical conversion. The plant extraction method consumes a lot of natural resources and makes it difficult to separate the target compound from the extractives, while the chemical conversion method has a complex synthesis route and leads to severe environmental pollution. Compared to plant extraction and chemical conversion methods, the microbial synthesis method has the advantages of preferable sustainability, low production cost and environmental friendliness, and is a potential way to achieve efficient terpenes production in the future. Yeast is a conventional platform for bio-chemical production and is also engineered to synthesize terpenes due to their abundant intracellular acetyl-CoA, high metabolic flux of the MVA pathway, high local concentrations of substrates and enzymes, and fewer by-products. At present, a variety of terpenes including α-farnesene, squalene, limonene, β-carotene have been successfully synthesized by the engineered yeast via the application of multiple strategies. This work summarized the progress of research on these strategies conducted in the synthesis of terpenes from several aspects, including the adaptive screening and expression of terpene synthases, the regulation of synthesis pathways, and the application of intracellular compartmentalized expression strategy. The perspectives and challenges were also discussed, from which it was hoped that some useful views for future research on the synthesis of terpenes in yeast would be provided.

Nattokinase, a serine protease that originates from the traditional food natto, has garnered widespread attention due to its pharmacological functions and therapeutic potential. This review aims to delve into the major advancements of nattokinase across various domains, particularly its emerging roles in Alzheimer’s disease prevention and the treatment of retinal diseases, thereby seeking to usher in a newfound hope in the fields of neurology and ophthalmology. However, the production and preservation of nattokinase present a multitude of challenges, including issues of unstable yield and enzyme activity loss. To address these challenges, we explore potential solutions such as the heterologous expression of the nattokinase gene, the optimization of microbial fermentation strategies, and innovative purification methods. Furthermore, we focus on enhancing the stability and protection of nattokinase through encapsulation and immobilization techniques, thus ensuring its sustainability across a wide array of applications. This review provides readers with the opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of the diverse prospects for nattokinase applications. Future research directions will encompass a deeper exploration of its biological mechanisms, the development of novel nattokinase derivatives, and the extension of its applications into a broader spectrum of disease treatments and health maintenance.

Background: Volatile compounds have a deep influence on the quality and application of the medicinal herb Artemisia argyi; however, little is known about the effect of UV-B radiation on volatile metabolites. Methods: We herein investigated the effects of UV-B exposure on the volatile compounds and transcriptome of A. argyi to assess the potential for improving its quality and medicinal characteristics. Results: Out of 733 volatiles obtained, a total of 133 differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) were identified by metabolome analysis. These were classified into 16 categories, primarily consisting of terpenoids, esters, heterocyclic compounds, alcohols, and ketones. Sensory odor analysis indicated that green was the odor with the highest number of annotations. Among the 544 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified by transcriptome analysis, most DEGs were linked to “metabolic pathways” and “biosynthesis of secondary metabolites”. Integrated analysis revealed that volatiles were mainly synthesized through the shikimate pathway and the MEP pathway. RNA-seq and qPCR results indicated that transcription factors HY5, bHLH25, bHLH18, bHLH148, MYB114, MYB12, and MYB111 were upregulated significantly after UV-B radiation, and were therefore considered key regulatory factors for volatiles synthesis under UV-B radiation. Conclusions: These findings not only provide new insights into UV-induced changes in volatile compounds, but also provide an exciting opportunity to enhance medicinal herbs’ value, facilitating the development of products with higher levels of essential oils, flavor, and bioactivity.