Fengycin is a cyclic lipopeptide produced mainly by the Bacillus genus,
which is structurally composed of a β-hydroxy fatty acid and 10 amino acids. The
biosynthesis of fengycin is catalyzed by large non-ribosomal peptide synthetases.
Fengycin is an amphiphilic molecule with strong surface activity and displays strong
antimicrobial activity. In this chapter, the molecular structure and biological properties
of fengycin, and the function and catalyzing mechanism of fengycin multienzyme were
summarized. Multiple antimicrobial mechanisms of fengycin and the strategies for
increasing the production of fengycin were introduced. Fengycin has the advantages of
low toxicity, biodegradation and high stability. Its applications, including biological
control of plant pathogens, bioremediation of a contaminated environment, postharvest
disease control of fruit and vegetables, food processing and preservation, etc., were
reviewed finally.
Keywords: Anticancer, Amphiphile, Biological control, Bioremediation, Food processing and preservation, Fengycin, Inhibition of filamentous fungi, Lipopeptide, Non-ribosomal biosynthesis, Postharvest disease control.
