Quorum sensing research in bioluminescent bacteria: a global scientometric mapping of research trends, knowledge structure and emerging research frontiers

Background Quorum sensing (QS) in bioluminescent bacteria underpins bacterial cell-to-cell communication, but the global evolution of this field has not been comprehensively evaluated scientometrically. This study maps QS research in bioluminescent bacteria to assess its developmental trajectory, intellectual structure, collaboration networks, and emerging frontiers. Main body A comprehensive Scopus search yielded 1,470 original articles published between 1977 and 2025. After data cleaning and standardization, Bibliometrix/Biblioshiny and VOSviewer were used to analyse publication trends, citations, leading authors, institutions, journals, countries, co-authorship, keyword co-occurrence, thematic evolution, strategic thematic mapping, and multidimensional scaling. Publication output grew steadily, accelerating after 2006 and peaking in the early 2020s. The United States and China were the leading contributors, while Princeton University, Ghent University, and Bonnie L. Bassler were particularly influential. Research themes shifted from LuxI/LuxR signaling, bacterial luminescence, and autoinduction toward biofilm regulation, quorum quenching, antimicrobial discovery, aquaculture, microbial ecology, omics technologies, and systems biology. Collaboration became increasingly international and multidisciplinary. Conclusion This study provides the first comprehensive scientometric synthesis of QS research in bioluminescent bacteria, identifying key contributors, evolving knowledge structures, translational gaps, and emerging priorities for future research in microbial communication, biotechnology, environmental microbiology, and anti-virulence research.