Optimizing Rhamnolipid Performance by Modulating the Expression of Fatty Acid Synthesis Genes and in PAO1.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Rhamnolipids (RLs) are biosurfactants with significant industrial and environmental potential, which physicochemical properties depend greatly on their fatty acyl chain composition. This study investigated the impact of genetically modulating the fatty acid synthesis genes and on RL composition and functionality in PAO1.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Using temperature-sensitive mutants and suppressor strains for these essential genes, we successfully engineered RLs with altered fatty acyl chain lengths and saturation levels. LC-MS/MS analyses showed that deletion and overexpression of and significantly shifted RL fatty acid profiles. Functional analyses indicated that these structural changes markedly influenced RL emulsification activity and critical micelle concentration (CMC).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings demonstrate the feasibility of optimizing RL properties through targeted genetic manipulation, offering valuable insights for designing customized biosurfactants for diverse industrial and environmental applications.