Journal of Chemical Engineering & Process Technology
Open Access

Abstract

Agriculture and Food Applications of Rhamnolipids and its Production by Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

Jean Paul Sinumvayo and Nestor Ishimwe

Rhamnolipids (RLs) are known as very efficient surface-active which are the most investigated biosurfactants usually produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. Other various bacterial species promising producers of rhamnolipids are shown herein. Researchers on rhamnolipids production concentrate their efforts on conventional mutagenesis and metabolic engineering of different strains especially P. aeruginosa. Several modifications of metabolic pathways in combination with optimization of fermentation strategies were suggested to increase the rhamnolipid yields. Unique properties of rhamnolipids, including sequestering, detergency, demulsifying, foaming, emulsifying, thickening, metal, solubilizing, wetting, vesicle forming and phase dispersion make them suitable to be used in a wide range of industrial applications such as cosmetics, food, pharmaceutical formulations and bioremediation of pollutants. The present review shows different rhamnolipid yields obtained and covers the potential applications of rhamnolipid, mainly focusing on food processing, storing, numerous applications in agriculture and farming.