Attenuated Strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa: A Promising Cell Factory for Rhamnolipid Production

Biodegradable compounds like rhamnolipids provide an environmentally friendly alternative to petroleum-based surfactants. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most proficient producer of rhamnolipids. The genetic plasticity and metabolic versatility of P. aeruginosa can be harnessed to leverage the production of rhamnolipids. However, P. aeruginosa carries virulence factors and can cause debilitating diseases in immunocompromised individuals. Bacteria other than P. aeruginosa have been used as heterologous hosts for rhamnolipid production through genetic engineering. Our lab had previously developed genetically attenuated strains of P. aeruginosa to produce polysaccharide alginate. These strains can also be used for rhamnolipid production. This review examines the unique genetic, biochemical, and physiological characteristics of P. aeruginosa amenable to be exploited via bioengineering and the existing models for rhamnolipid production. Further, we propose the attenuated strains of P. aeruginosa as a safe cell-factory for industrial production and biomedical use of rhamnolipids.