Whole-Cell and Enzymatic Production of Aldehydes

Aldehydes are both versatile intermediates in chemical syntheses and used directly as pharmaceuticals, flavors, and fragrances. However, their synthetic preparation with traditional synthetic chemistry often requires harsh operating conditions and/or toxic metals, including osmium or chromium. To improve the sustainability of aldehyde synthesis, emerging efforts have focused on the production of bio-aldehydes via enzymatic oxidation, reduction, or de novo metabolic pathways. Here, we present a practical guide the different ways to synthesize aldehydes with enzymatic and whole-cell systems with an emphasis on circumventing common challenges, including product isolation and avoiding over-reduction or over-oxidation of the desired aldehyde.