Nisin-relevant antimicrobial peptides: synthesis strategies and applications

Abstract

Small pentacyclic peptides, represented by nisin, have been successfully utilized as preservatives in the food industry and have evolved into a paradigm for understanding the genetic structure, expression, and control of genes created by lantibiotics. Due to the ever-increasing antibiotic resistance, nisin-relevant antimicrobial peptides have received much attention, which calls for a summarization on their synthesis, modification and applications. In this review, we first provided a timeline of select highlights in nisin biosynthesizing and engineering. Then, we outlined the current developments in nisin synthesis. We also provided an overview of engineering, screening, and producing nisin-relevant antimicrobial peptides based on enzyme alteration, substrate modification, and sequence mining. Furthermore, an updated summarization for applications of nisin-relevant antimicrobial peptides was developed on food applications. Finally, this study offered insights into emerging technologies, limitation and future development of nisin-relevant antimicrobial peptides in pathogen inhibition, food preservatives, and improved health.