Crocin production in engineered Nicotiana tabacum L. cell cultures: metabolic characterization, bioreactor cultivation and neuroprotective potential.
Crocins are water-soluble apocarotenoids from saffron (Crocus sativus L.) with potent antioxidant and neuroprotective properties, yet their supply is limited by low yields and labor-intensive cultivation. We previously engineered Nicotiana tabacum L. to express carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase 2 (CCD2) to establish an a...