ABSTRACT
4-Hydroxybenzoate (4HBA) is an important chemical compound used for synthesis of liquid crystal. Production of 4HBA from renewable resources is an effective mean to solve problems such as environmental pollution and petroleum shortage. This review briefly introduces the chemical synthesis of 4HBA from oil compounds, and mainly describes the progress in 4HBA biosynthesis from renewable resources by plants and microorganisms. In most intriguing aspect of plant-based synthesis of 4HBA is the appeal of directly synthesizing a chemical from CO2. However, the glucosylation system in plant cells converting 4HBA to glucose conjugates, causing the post treatment a problem. The recombinant microorganisms produce pure 4HBA, but less efficient. A new strain of Microbulbifer has ability to naturally accumulate 4HBA from glucose. Elucidation of the metabolic pathways and regulation systems would improve 4HBA synthesis efficiency.