Enhancing antibacterial properties of bacteriocins using combination therapy

Abstract

Antibiotic abuse in hospitals, animal feed, and the food industry for decades has resulted in an alarming increase in antibiotic-resistant microbes. Antibiotic-resistant infections kill 700,000 people every year, and if the current trend continues, 10 million deaths are anticipated by 2050. To combat these life-threatening diseases, new antimicrobials must be discovered and developed quickly. Bacteriocins, a viable alternative to antibiotics, are ribosomally synthesized, bactericidal active proteins produced by certain bacteria and have the potential to substitute antibiotics to combat multidrug-resistant pathogens. To harness the full potential of these natural antimicrobials, their limitations such as sensitivity to proteolytic enzymes, a restricted antibacterial spectrum, a high dosage requirement, and low yield must be overcome first. This review discusses the use of combinatorial therapy to improve and broaden the antibacterial activity of bacteriocins while reducing the risk of resistance development, which is critical for their use as therapeutics and food preservatives.