Biosynthesis of fatty acid-derived hydrocarbons: perspectives on enzymology and enzyme engineering.

Enormous fuel consumption and growing environmental concerns have been spurring development of renewable biofuels. Among various biofuels, fatty acid-derived biohydrocarbons are ideal alternatives to non-renewable fossil fuels due to their closest properties to petroleum-based fuels. In the past decade, novel hydrocarbon-producing enzymes have continuously been discovered and engineered. Here, we review the recent advances in biosynthesis of fatty acid-derived hydrocarbons with emphasis on enzymology and enzyme engineering, based on which some outlooks are provided.