Endophytes: Recent developments in biotechnology and the potential for flavor production

The ongoing development of biotechnology-produced flavor compounds has led to the utilization of a special group of plant-associated microbes, called endophytes, which have emerged as a promising resource for new bioactive compounds. Through a long-term coexistence with their hosts, these microbes have developed powerful metabolic pathways from which numerous highly beneficial volatile organic compounds have been reported. With a focus on new potential flavor compounds, this review aims to present recent discoveries and research that points to endophytes as promising biocatalysts of the future. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.