Affiliation:
1. Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology College of Agriculture Kerala Agricultural University Vellayani Kerala India
2. Chemical Sciences and Technology Division CSIR ‐ National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR‐NIIST) Thiruvananthapuram Kerala India
3. Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR) Ghaziabad India
4. Integrated Bioprocessing Laboratory Department of Biotechnology School of Bioengineering SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST) Kattankulathur India
5. iAMB ‐ Institute of Applied Microbiology ABBt ‐ Aachen Biology and Biotechnology RWTH Aachen University Aachen Germany
Abstract
ABSTRACTSqualene is a natural triterpenoid and a biosynthetic precursor of steroids and hopanoids in microorganisms, plants, humans, and other animals. Squalene has exceptional properties, such as its antioxidant activity, a high penetrability of the skin, and the ability to trigger the immune system, promoting its application in the cosmetic, sustenance, and pharmaceutical industries. Because sharks are the primary source of squalene, there is a need to identify low‐cost, environment friendly, and sustainable alternatives for producing squalene commercially. This shift has prompted scientists to apply biotechnological advances to research microorganisms for synthesizing squalene. This review summarizes recent metabolic and bioprocess engineering strategies in various microorganisms for the biotechnological production of this valuable molecule.