Structure, Biological Properties and Utilities of Marine-derived Antimicrobial Peptides

Marine organisms, as a rich recourse of numerous bioactive compounds, have been reported to produce antimicrobial peptides (AMP). Antimicrobial peptides are small molecular weight peptides which protect the host organisms against multiple microbes. Due to the non-toxicity, broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities and the ability to escape drug-resistance mechanisms, antimicrobial peptides are valued as a potential treasure in pharmaceutical and food industries. In this review, we summarized the classification, biological properties, and functions of marine-derived antimicrobial peptides and their application prospects in different fields.