Fig. 1

In vivo characterization of various alcohol acyltransferases for biosynthesis of lactate esters. a Biosynthesis pathways of lactate and acetate esters with external supply of alcohols. b Ester production of EcJW101, EcJW102, EcJW103, EcJW104, and EcJW105 harboring ATF1, ATF2, SAAT, VAAT, and atfA, respectively in high cell density cultures with various alcohol doping. Each error bar represents 1 standard deviation (s.d., n = 3). Symbols: n.d. not detected, n.s. not significant, *p < 0.073, and **p < 0.013 (Student’s t-test). c The library of esters produced. Green check marks indicate the esters produced in this study while red star marks indicate the esters produced for first time in engineered strains