Recombinant bacterium boosts production of compound that can relieve menopause symptoms

A soy isoflavone derivative that goes by the scientific moniker, (S)-equol, has proven potent for mitigating menopausal symptoms. However, it has been impossible to produce in quantities sufficient for widespread commercial nutraceutical production. But now, a team of researchers reports having constructed a recombinant bacterium which they say can boost production.