Evolution of Vitamin E Production: From Chemical Synthesis and Plant Extraction to Microbial Cell Factories

Vitamin E, comprising tocopherols and tocotrienols, is an essential antioxidant known for its numerous health benefits. This review traces the evolution of vitamin E production, from traditional chemical synthesis and plant extraction methods to cutting-edge microbial cell factories. Chemical synthesis, while well-established, fails to produce specific stereoisomers, and its application is limited to animal feed due to concerns about chemical residues and limited bioactivity. Plant extraction, although yielding natural vitamin E, is constrained by resource availability and high cultivation costs. Recent advancements in metabolic engineering and synthetic biology have revolutionized vitamin E bioproduction, particularly through the use of engineered microbial cell factories. This review highlights the progress of vitamin E biosynthesis in plants and microorganisms and the key metabolic engineering strategies adopted. We also discuss the existing challenges and future perspectives. When these challenges are overcome, microbial cell factories present a sustainable and effective method to fulfill the increasing demand for high-quality vitamin E.