Lactone Formation in Yeast and Fungi

International audienceLactones are important secondary metabolites for fungi. In this chapter are presented some lactones that are important in biotechnology such as flavoring lactones or fragrance macrocyclic musk compounds, whereas others are important for quorum sensing and health (mycotoxins). Different pathways or enzymes can give rise to lactones, and the pathways going through β-oxidation and ω-oxidation and the fungal polyketide pathway (relatively similar to the fatty acid synthesis pathway) are presented as well as the activity of Baeyer–Villiger monooxygenases and lactonases and their potential use in biotechnology