Bacillus sp.: A Remarkable Source of Bioactive Lipopeptides

Surfactin, one of the best lipopeptide surfactants, was first isolated from Bacillus sp. in 1969. Since then, Bacillus sp. has been a remarkable source of bioactive lipopeptides, with a huge natural biodiversity. Lipopeptides from Bacillus sp. are now divided into three main families: surfactin, fengycin, and iturin. The peptide moiety of these lipopeptides is synthesised by huge multi-enzymatic proteins called nonribosomal peptide synthetases, which are responsible for the peptide biodiversity of these lipopeptides. Moreover, the fatty acid chain also encompasses a high diversity with different β-hydroxy or β-amino fatty acid chains of different lengths, isomery, or saturation, which can be incorporated. After describing the mode of synthesis of the different families of lipopeptides produced by Bacillus sp. and their biodiversity, this chapter describes how this lipopeptide biodiversity can be increased using genetic engineering and how the lipopeptides can be overproduced and purified. The high biodiversity of lipopeptides induces a broad range of physicochemical properties, which can be linked to multiple biological activities with many applications in different sectors. The increasing understanding of the mode of biosynthesis of these lipopeptides should lead to the development of novel compounds with increased properties and applications.