Abstract: The present invention relates to biocatalysts catalyzing the formation of ?-olefins. In particular, the invention provides polypeptides with improved decarboxylase activity on C10-C16 free fatty acids, more particularly on C10 or C12 free fatty acids, as compared to the P450 fatty acid decarboxylase isolated from the Staphylococcus massiliensis strain S46 (Sm46). The invention further provides recombinant nucleic acids and vectors comprising the coding sequences encoding these polypeptides, genetically engineered host cells expressing said polypeptides and methods for the production of C9-C15 ?-olefins, more particularly C9 or C11 ?-olefins, using said polypeptides or said host cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the biosynthesis of ?-olefins. In particular, the invention provides methods for the production of medium-chain ?-olefins, more particularly C11 ?-olefins, using a polypeptide with decarboxylase activity on free fatty acids with 8 to 14 carbons, in particular on C8-C12 free fatty acids, more particularly on C12 free fatty acids, or a genetically engineered host cell expressing or overexpressing said polypeptide.