Nisin and other antimicrobial peptides: Production, mechanisms of action, and application in active food packaging

Antimicrobial peptides are protein fragments present in the innate immune systems of invertebrates and vertebrates as host defense molecules. Due to their unique properties, these compounds have several useful appliances in human health by potentially playing antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and antitumor roles. The incorporation of antimicrobial peptides into polymer matrices as delivery systems has been studied recently with further interest towards the fields of medicine, pharmacy, personal care, and food packaging. The consumers' tendency to demand more natural products has paved the route for food industries to explore novel mechanisms as food preservation techniques. Antimicrobial peptide-containing active packaging materials emerge as a promising approach to retard food spoilage and increase food safety and shelf life. This text presents a comprehensive review of antimicrobial peptides, from synthesis procedures to mechanisms of action, with an emphasis on nisin. A historical outlook and the current perspectives of their potential applications in food packaging systems are also addressed.