However, the large-scale production of natural vanillin is essentially non-existent. Now, Researchers from Tokyo University of Science have genetically engineered an enzyme that can convert ferulic acid from plant waste into vanillin in a one-step sustainable process.

Credits: Getty Images; Author: Aldo Pavan;

The product known as vanilla extract is mainly produced from the seed pods of this member of the orchid family, while the plant itself creates vanillin through the conversion of ferulic acid by a naturally produced enzyme with the chemical abbreviation VpVAN.