CO₂-driven biosurfactant synthesis by bacteria within CCUS

Microbial CO₂ capture coupled with biosurfactant production represents a promising strategy for greenhouse gas mitigation and sustainable biomanufacturing. This review examines the metabolic and engineering aspects of microbial carbon capture, focusing on both anaerobic and CO₂-enriched systems within the Microbial-CCUS framework. The structural diversity, physicochemical properties, and industrial applications of microbial biosurfactants are discussed, along with emerging evidence of anaerobic biosurfactant synthesis linked to CO₂ metabolism. Advances in genetic and synthetic biology, pathway modularization, and systems-level modeling are reshaping the potential to coordinate CO₂ fixation with biosurfactant biosynthesis. Integrating artificial intelligence with metabolic engineering may further optimize productivity, scalability, and energy efficiency. Despite technical and economic challenges, the convergence of CO₂ utilization, biotechnology, and digital innovation offers a transformative route toward circular carbon systems and climate mitigation. KEY POINTS: • Microbial CO₂ capture drives biosurfactant synthesis within Microbial-CCUS systems. • Anaerobic and CO₂-enriched cultures unlock new routes for sustainable biomanufacturing. • Synthetic biology links carbon-fixation modules to biosurfactant pathways.