Abstract
Surfactin is a biosurfactant of the lipopeptide-type that has excellent
physicochemical properties and biological activity. However, surfactin’s high cost and
low productivity of the wild strains restrict its large-scale manufacturing and
application. Hence, numerous engineered bacteria have been utilized to boost surfactin
biosynthesis. The current review includes information on the structure,
physicochemical properties, and antibacterial mechanism of surfactin. This article also
summarizes the regulatory network of surfactin biosynthesis, the molecular
modification strategies, and the major function of surfactin, as well as its applications
in agriculture, livestock, aquaculture and the food field. Finally, future prospects for
surfactin research are discussed.