Team:Cornell/project/wetlab/fungal toolkit/limonene
From 2013.igem.org
Limonene
d-Limonene is a chemical compound derived from the rind of citrus fruit. Motivation to incorporate d-limonene into the fungal strain was to improve the marketability of the styrofoam product. The current design alternative biodegradable styrofoam incorporates fungal mycelium along with agricultural byproducts that have a less than appealing odor. Incorporating the limonene synthase into the strain of interest allows the strain to express limonene, releasing the desired citrusy odor to mask the smell of the agricultural by-product.. In addition, besides the already well-known anticancerous, anti-inflammatory and bacteriocidal properties of d-limonene, further research has revealed that d-limonene substance is highly effective in recycling/degrade polystyrene.