Sorbitol-Mediated Shift of C(14)/C(15) Iturin W Homologue Ratio in Bacillus sp. wsm-1.

Sorbitol supplementation shifts the C(14) to C(15) iturin W homologue ratio in Bacillus sp. wsm-1 by modulating metabolic pathways and gene expression.

• Why it matters: This work addresses the need for eco-friendly alternatives to antibiotics and fungicides, aiming to optimize lipopeptide profiles for targeted pathogen control and reduce antimicrobial resistance.
• What they did: The study used transcriptomics, gene knockout, and fermentation analyses to investigate how sorbitol influences homologue ratios, focusing on key metabolic regulators and environmental conditions.
• The result: Findings show sorbitol promotes C(14) homologue production by inducing metabolic reprogramming, with gene knockouts and aeration conditions further enabling precise control of lipopeptide profiles.