Metabolic fluxes assessment in complex network of rhamnolipids production by Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Abstract

Despite the numerous advantages of biosurfactants, such as low toxicity, biodegradability and high stability, these compounds are not widely used because of the high cost of production. The application of metabolic engineering tools allows the identification of flow deviations in metabolic pathways involved in the synthesis of ramnolipídios, which can be overcome by genetically modified strains, contributing significantly to the increased production of these metabolites. Therefore this study aims to study the carbon flux in metabolic pathways used by Pseudomonas aeruginosa to produce rhamnolipids and from results establish a stoichiometric model for the production as well as propose genetic modifications in order to direct the carbon flow to increase the production of glycolipid produced by this species. It is also proposed to study the relationship of the gene rhlG with the production of rhamnolipids and also assess whether there are differences in the metabolism of hydrophilic and hydrophobic carbon sources by mutants deleted in the gene mentioned above. (AU)