Patent ID: 7807422

Claim:
A method of producing a flavonoid in host cells, wherein the flavonoid is a catechin, comprising the steps of: a) introducing into the host cells an exogenous nucleic acid comprising a set of genes encoding enzymes sufficient to direct the synthesis of the flavonoid from a substrate, wherein the set of genes encode Petroselinum crispum 4-coumaroyl:CoA ligase (4CL), Medicago sativa chalcone isomerase (CHI), Petunia hybrida chalcone synthase (CHS), Malus Domestica flavanone 3β-hydroxylase (FHT), Anthurium andraeanum dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (DFR) and Desmodium uncinatum Leucoanthocyanidin reductase (LAR); b) providing the substrate to the host cells, wherein the substrate is a phenylpropanoid; c) culturing the host cells under conditions permitting the synthesis of the flavonoids by the host cells; and d) isolating said flavonoids from said host cells.