Enhanced anaerobic synthesis of rhamnolipids and emulsification of crude oil by genetically engineered Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains

Genes rmlBDAC and rhlABRI were the best overexpression combination for improvement of rhamnolipids production in P. aeruginosa under anaerobic conditions. Overexpression of key genes and optimization of medium synergistically increase rhamnolipids production of P. aeruginosa under anaerobic conditions. Pseudomonas aeruginosa SGhm is promising for emulsification of crude oil through anaerobic synthesis of rhamnolipids. This study provided an excellent microbial strain resource and nutrients for in-situ production of rhamnolipids in anoxic environments of oil reservoirs.