Rational design of hyperstable antibacterial peptides for food preservation

This study details the rational design of peptides exhibiting thermostability, pH stability, and antibacterial activity against foodborne pathogens. Classical structure-function analysis of natural peptides and their mutants guided the development of these peptides. pH and thermostability assays confirmed robust antimicrobial activity under various conditions. Mechanism of action studies, including membrane permeability assays, electron microscopy, and molecular dynamics simulations, revealed that these peptides act via membrane destabilization and intracellular trypsin inhibition. Toxicity studies and food preservation assays demonstrated the safety and efficacy of these peptides for food preservation, providing a blueprint for developing stable antimicrobial peptides (AMPs).

Yashavantha L. Vishweshwaraiah, Abhishek Acharya, Vinayak Hegde, Balaji Prakash