Antimicrobial peptides as novel alternatives to antibiotics

Abstract

In recent years, due to the unreasonable use of antibiotics, bacterial resistance has increased, posing a huge threat to human health and the healthy development of the swine industry. Therefore, it is an urgent to look for antibiotic alternatives. Antimicrobial peptides are a class of small molecule peptides, which are the body's first line of defense against the invasion of pathogenic microorganisms. They have small molecular weight, good water solubility, and not easy to produce drug resistance. Therefore, antimicrobial peptides are considered as one of the best alternatives to antibiotics. This review focuses on the mechanism of action of antimicrobial peptides, especially improve performance, improve intestinal inflammation and nutrient digestibility, regulate the intestinal microbiota and enhance the immune function of swine. Overall, AMPs have great potential for application  as an alternative to antibiotics in swine industry.