Bioproduction of α,ω-oxyfunctionalised alkanes.

Engineered enzymatic pathways enable highly selective oxidation of n-alkanes into valuable diols and diacids, advancing bioproduction with up to 100% selectivity.

• Why it matters: Converting n-alkanes into high-value products addresses the need for sustainable chemical processes and valorizes both fossil and renewable resources, filling a critical gap in biocatalysis.
• What they did: The review summarizes enzymatic and engineering strategies, including strategies for converting diacids into diols, and discusses recent advancements and process optimizations in alkane bioconversion.
• The result: These insights pave the way for more efficient n-alkane valorization, enabling sustainable production of chemicals from diverse feedstocks and overcoming current bottlenecks in biocatalytic oxidation.