An industrially applicable Escherichia coli platform for bioconversion of thebaine to oripavine and codeine to morphine.

A whole cell Escherichia coli biotransformation platform converting thebaine to oripavine and codeine to morphine was demonstrated with industrially applicable yields (∼1.2 × 10 -2 g L -1 h -1 or ∼1.2 × 10 -1 g L -1 h -1 ), improving >13 400-fold upon morphine production in yeast. Mutations enhanced enzyme performance and the use of a purified substrate with rich raw poppy extract expanded applicability.