7-aminocephalosporanicacid (7-ACA) is convenient starting material for the industrial production of various kinds of semisynthetic cephalosporin antibiotics. In many cases, chemical modifications at the C-7 position is required. Industrially, 7-ACA is derived by chemical or enzymatic deacylation from cephalosporin C, which is fermentatively produced by Acremonium chrysogenum. 7-ACA is a stable only at neutral pHs, enzymatic manipulations are desirable for chemical modifications in the production of cephalosporin related compounds.

Quinic acid is an acid obtained from cinchona bark, coffee beans, tobacco leaves, carrot leaves, apples, etc. For over 50 years, hippuric/quinic acids were believed to have no biological efficacy, but in 2009th these components were identified as major dietary components, and not simply originating from environmental pollution as previously had been thought. Quinic acid has been shown to possess radioprotection, anti-neuroinflammatory, and anti-oxidant activities. It also inhibits the TNF-α-stimulated induction of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) by inhibiting the MAP kinase and NF-κB signaling pathways, which may explain the ability of QA to inhibit vascular inflammation such as atherosclerosis.

Geraniol is a dietary monoterpene alcohol that is found in the essential oils of aromatic plants. To date, experimental evidence supports the therapeutic or preventive effects of geraniol on different types of cancer, such as breast, lung, colon, prostate, pancreatic, and hepatic cancer, and has revealed the mechanistic basis for its pharmacological actions. In addition, geraniol sensitizes tumor cells to commonly used chemotherapy agents. Geraniol controls a variety of signaling molecules and pathways that represent tumor hallmarks; these actions of geraniol constrain the ability of tumor cells to acquire adaptive resistance against anticancer drugs. It has been shown that geraniol inhibits HMG-CoA reductase in most types of tumor cells, which raises the possibility that the reduced prenylation of small G-proteins, such as Ras or RhoA, accounts for the antitumor effects of geraniol. In addition to its use in various commercial products, including cosmetics and fine fragrances, geraniol exerts a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities, such as anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-ulcer and neuroprotective activities. Geraniol is classified into the generally recognized-as-safe (GRAS) category by the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States.