Antimicrobial peptides can control pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli- a major cause of foodborne diseases and can also act as an alternative to antibiotics to help combat increasing antimicrobial resistance (AMR).Antimicrobial peptides, which are short chains of amino acids, have the potential to kill harmful bacteria without inducing resistance to antibiotics.
The findings show that antimicrobial peptides have the potential to improve food safety and protect public health without relying on antibiotic use.
“Antimicrobial peptides have the potential to be alternatives to antibiotics and thereby could mitigate antibiotic resistance,” said corresponding study author Gireesh Rajashekara, Professor at College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
“These peptides not only can kill Salmonella but also other related bacterial pathogens such as E. coli, so they could be really valuable in controlling a broad range of pathogens,” he added.
The researchers conducted their study to identify antibiotic alternatives to control Salmonella in chickens.