From Biosynthetic Mechanisms to Rational Design of Next-Generation Surfactin Biopesticides: A Review

Surfactin, a cyclic lipopeptide produced by Bacillus species, represents a promising biopesticide due to its antimicrobial activity, environmental compatibility, and ability to induce plant immunity. However, fragmented knowledge on its molecular mechanisms and engineering limits the rational development of next-generation biopesticides. This review outlines surfactin biosynthetic principles and advances in metabolic and synthetic engineering strategies for improving yield and structural diversity. We emphasize high-throughput NRPS reprogramming strategies enabling precise control over peptide sequence and fatty acid composition, providing a powerful platform for the rational design of functionally tailored variants. Furthermore, surfactin may serve as an important signaling hub in the interaction network between plants and microorganisms. By integrating NRPS engineering, system metabolic design, and the construction of synthetic microbial communities, the future of crop protection is expected to shift from a single active molecule application model to a programmable ecological regulation model.