Current Research Trends in the Biosynthesis of the Natural Small Molecule Drug Pterostilbene

Pterostilbene, a bioactive stilbene compound, is well-regarded for its considerable pharmacological properties, which include anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. Currently, pterostilbene is predominantly derived from plant sources, however, its low natural abundance in plants and economically unfeasible extraction costs present significant challenges. Additionally, chemical synthesis methods pose environmental concerns and exhibit high toxicity. Therefore, the production of pterostilbene using engineered microbial cell factories has emerged as a promising research focus. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the current studies related to the microbial synthesis of pterostilbene and discusses potential future research avenues in this field.