Antimicrobial peptides (human defense peptides; HDPs), 597562-32-8, are a type of small molecule peptide chains with antibacterial activity. Natural antibacterial peptides are usually small molecule cationic peptides composed of 12 to 60 amino acids. They have a variety of antibacterial mechanisms and can kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria, fungi, viruses and other microorganisms.
Utilization of Antibacterial Peptides
Antibacterial peptides, occurring naturally in animals and plants, exhibit a broad-spectrum antibacterial effect akin to that of antibiotics. As feed additives, they serve to inhibit bacterial growth and enhance animal growth. Furthermore, these peptides lack residues and do not engender resistance in pathogenic bacteria, positioning them as environmentally friendly feed additives.
Antimicrobial peptides exert their antibacterial activity by damaging microbial cell membranes, interfering with intracellular metabolism, and suppressing protein synthesis. Their distinct mode of action results in low resistance to antimicrobial agents, leading to their classification as potential antibacterial drugs. Some antimicrobial peptide drugs have advanced to the clinical trial stage.
Antimicrobial peptides are ubiquitous in nature, being found in animals, plants, microorganisms, and other organisms. In recent years, through conversion and synthesis technology, researchers have developed some synthetic bacteriostatic peptides that possess enhanced antibacterial activity and stability.
Beyond their utility as antibacterial agents, they find use in food preservation, the creation of antibacterial coatings, medical devices, and other areas. Nonetheless, challenges remain, including the stability, toxicity, and production costs associated with bacteriostatic peptides, which necessitate further research and development.
