Recent advances in biosynthesis, regulation, and metabolic engineering of flavonoids

Plants synthesize a diverse array of flavonoids that endow them with the ability to adapt to a wide range of natural environments. For humans, flavonoids have been used for centuries for their dietary health benefits and therapeutic applications. As a result, research into the biosynthesis, regulation, and metabolic engineering of flavonoids has received increasing attention. In this review, we present the latest advances in this field, with a particular focus on species-specific flavonoid biosynthetic pathways and newly discovered transcriptional regulatory mechanisms. Furthermore, we provide an overview of valuable flavonoids that have been synthesized successfully using metabolic engineering. The development of purple tomatoes is highlighted as a case study, demonstrating the potential to translate plant research into marketable high-flavonoid products.