Biotechnology – A Tool to Transform Givaudan’s Fragrance Ingredients Palette

Abstract

To support perfumers in their creation of olfactive signatures resulting in unique and instantly recognizable perfumes, there is a constant demand for the development of new odorant molecules and of novel processes for their production. Increasing the sustainability of both the molecules and the processes is a crucial activity at Givaudan. Biocatalysis has the potential to positively influence metrics applied at Givaudan that drive and measure our ambition to innovate responsibly, which is summarized in the FiveCarbon Path™. It targets an increased use of renewable carbon, carbon efficiency in synthesis, and the production of powerful and biodegradable odorant molecules while maximizing the use of upcycled carbon available from waste and side streams. This review illustrates with some examples how enzymes selected from the oxidoreductase and isomerase enzyme classes are applied at Givaudan for the preparation of odorant molecules both at laboratory and industrial scale.

Sniffing Out the Sustainable Future: The Renewability Revolution in Fragrance Chemistry**

“…The investment in a biotechnological process therefore only pays off for existing high-margin products of substantial volume such as Ambrox (229), not for new captive odorants that still are to establish new trends in perfumery. [287] In addition, as well illustrated by Pablo Domínguez de María, biotechnology as such is not the magic formula for sustainability. [288] Besides the cost, blooming and long lastingness are two performance criteria particularly effected when it comes to materials being both renewable and biodegradable.…”