Advancing sustainable practices with Paenibacillus polymyxa: From soil health to medical applications and molecular engineering.

Paenibacillus polymyxa is a multifaceted bacterium with widespread applications in agriculture, environmental management, medicine, and industry. In agricultural settings, it plays a crucial role in soil enhancement, plant growth promotion, and natural pathogen control, reducing the need for chemical interventions. Additionally, P. polymyxa exhibits promising potential in medical applications by aiding in infection prevention and supporting gastrointestinal health. In the realm of environmental management, this bacterium contributes to pollution remediation through biodegradation processes. Industrially, P. polymyxa is involved in producing enzymes, biofertilizers, bioplastics, and platform chemicals, offering sustainable alternatives that underscore its importance in driving sustainability initiatives. Despite these valuable attributes, widespread utilization of bioresources derived from naturally occurring P. polymyxa has been hampered by limited genetic manipulation capabilities and tools. In this comprehensive analysis, we aimed to provide a thorough understanding of P. polymyxa's characteristics, genetic resources, and metabolic capabilities, while highlighting its potential as a versatile platform for protein expression, metabolic engineering, and synthetic biology. We delved into the diverse sustainable applications of P. polymyxa in these domains, emphasizing its benefits, challenges, and future outlook in advancing sustainable practices. Furthermore, we underscore the critical need for continued research and development of advanced engineering techniques and genetic editing technologies tailored specifically for this bacterium.