Production of l -Theanine by Escherichia coli in the Absence of Supplemental Ethylamine

Abstract

l -Theanine is widely used in food additives and dietary supplements. Industrial production of l -theanine uses the toxic and highly flammable precursor ethylamine, raising production costs. In this study, we used Escherichia coli to engineer two biosynthetic pathways that produce l -theanine from glucose and ammonia in the absence of supplemental ethylamine. This study establishes a foundation for safely and economically producing l -theanine.