2021/02/16 by Andrea Muras, Manuel Romero, Celia Mayer +1 · 1 citation
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Environmental Science · #Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensing #Bacteriophages and microbial interactions #Bacterial Genetics and Biotechnology
paper · doi:10.1080/07388551.2021.1873239
openalex publication_date 2021/02/16 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/25
Bacillus licheniformis is a Gram positive spore-forming bacterial species of high biotechnological interest with numerous present and potential uses, including the production of bioactive compounds that are applied in a wide range of fields, such as aquaculture, agriculture, food, biomedicine, and pharmaceutical industries. Its use as an expression vector for the production of enzymes and other bioproducts is also gaining interest due to the availability of novel genetic manipulation tools. Furthermore, besides its widespread use as a probiotic, other biotechnological applications of B. licheniformis strains include: bioflocculation, biomineralization, biofuel production, bioremediation, and anti-biofilm activity. Although authorities have approved the use of B. licheniformis as a feed additive worldwide due to the absence of toxigenic potential, some probiotics containing this bacterium are considered unsafe due to the possible transference of antibiotic resistance genes. The wide variability in biological activities and genetic characteristics of this species makes it necessary to establish an exact protocol for describing the novel strains, in order to evaluate its biotechnological potential.