Innovative bioreactor concepts and fermentation strategies for the microbial production of foaming biosurfactants

Biosurfactants are sustainable alternatives to synthetic surfactants. Bioprocesses were developed for glycine-glucolipids from Alcanivorax borkumensis and rhamnolipids with recombinant Pseudomonas putida. Excessive foam formation was addressed using optimized aeration strategies and a novel dynamic membrane stirrer. Improved media and feeding strategies enhanced glycolipid yields, while foam-free rhamnolipid production achieved high space-time yields, advancing industrial applicability.