Optimal conditions for (−)-α-bisabolol production in E. coli expressing MrBBS and all MVA pathway genes. E. coli cells harboring pSNA-MrBBS were grown for 48 h at 30 °C in the presence of 20% (v/v) n-dodecane with the following variations; a Medium (M9 supplemented with 4 g/L glucose, LB, 2xYT, TB) and glycerol concentration; b IPTG concentration. When OD600 reached 0.5, different concentrations of IPTG were added to the E. coli cells grown on TB medium supplemented with 10 g/L glycerol; c pH. Different initial pHs were tested to find an optimal pH for (−)-α-bisabolol production. E. coli cells were cultivated in TB medium containing 10 g/L glycerol in the absence of IPTG; d E. coli strains. E. coli cells were grown on TB medium, pH 7.0 with 10 g/L glycerol and 20% (v/v) n-dodecane in the absence of IPTG. Data represent averages from three replicate cultures and error bars show SD