Abstract: Combinatorially generated peptides are provided that have binding affinity for clay. The peptides may be used to deliver benefit agents to various clay surfaces.

Abstract: Expression of at least one plant oleosin gene in a microbial cell engineered to produce hydrophobic/lipophilic compounds significantly increases the overall titer of the compound. The hydrophobic nature of the oleosin core is believed to increase the microbial host cell's internal storage capacity for any hydrophobic/lipophilic compound. The method is exemplified using a bacterial host cell engineered to produce significant amount of various carotenoids.

Abstract: Mutant phytoene desaturase genes are provided encoding polypeptides having the ability to convert a phytoene desaturase substrate to tetradehydrolycopene. Both in vivo and in vitro methods are provided using the present phytoene desaturases for tetradehydrolycopene production.

Abstract: A method for the in vivo bioconversion of cyclic carotenes having a ?-ionone ring to the corresponding aryl carotene is provided. Gram negative host cells expressing a heterologous, codon-optimized gene encoding a carotene desaturase are grown in the presence of a suitable cyclic carotene substrate to effect the production of aromatic carotenoids.