Rhamnolipid biosurfactants as new players in animal and plant defense against microbes.

Parul Vatsa,Fabienne Baillieul,Christophe Clement,Stephan Dorey,Lisa Sanchez

doi:10.3390/ijms11125095

Abstract

Rhamnolipids are known as very efficient biosurfactant molecules. They are used in a wide range of industrial applications including food, cosmetics, pharmaceutical formulations and bioremediation of pollutants. The present review provides an overview of the effect of rhamnolipids in animal and plant defense responses. We describe the current knowledge on the stimulation of plant and animal immunity by these molecules, as well as on their direct antimicrobial properties. Given their ecological acceptance owing to their low toxicity and biodegradability, rhamnolipids have the potential to be useful molecules in medicine and to be part of alternative strategies in order to reduce or replace pesticides in agriculture.

Highlights

Rhamnolipids (RLs) are glycolipid biosurfactants produced by various bacterial species including some Pseudomonas sp. and Burkholderia sp. [1]
The present review provides an update of the current knowledge on the antimicrobial properties of RLs and highlights the recent discoveries of the involvement of these molecules in the stimulation of immunity in plants and animals
Perception by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) of molecular signatures that identify whole classes of microbes but are absent from the host allows this nonself recognition [32,33]. These molecular signatures, conventionally named microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) [34], trigger complex signaling pathways leading to transcriptional activation of defense-related genes and accumulation of antimicrobial metabolites in plant cells [32]

Summary

Introduction

Rhamnolipids (RLs) are glycolipid biosurfactants produced by various bacterial species including some Pseudomonas sp. and Burkholderia sp. [1]. The structure of RLs is highly diverse and those produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa have been extensively studied. 2010, 11 biosurfactants with applications related to environmental concerns, such as bioremediation of hydrocarbon, organic pollutants and heavy-metal-contaminated sites. Sci. 2010, 11 biosurfactants with applications related to environmental concerns, such as bioremediation of hydrocarbon, organic pollutants and heavy-metal-contaminated sites These topics have been extensively reviewed including some very recent articles [3,4,5,6]. For years RLs have been extensively studied regarding their direct toxicity to microorganisms but recently they have been reported to be involved in the stimulation of plant and animal defense responses. The present review provides an update of the current knowledge on the antimicrobial properties of RLs and highlights the recent discoveries of the involvement of these molecules in the stimulation of immunity in plants and animals. The potential use of these molecules to fight against pathogenic microorganisms in medical and agricultural field will be discussed

Rhamnolipids as Antimicrobial Agents

Rhamnolipids in Plant and Animal Immunity

Rhamnolipids as Stimulators of Human and Animal Immunity

Rhamnolipids as Stimulators of Plant Immunity

Potential Use of Rhamnolipids in Agricultural and Biomedical Fields

Conclusion