Microalgae, Cell Factories for Antimicrobial Peptides: A Promising Response to Antibiotic Resistance

The prevalence of infectious diseases is steadily increasing. If left untreated, they can lead to more serious health problems. Antibiotics currently available on the market are facing growing resistance, prompting the development of increasingly powerful antibacterial molecules. One alternative currently under investigation is the use of antibacterial peptides, whose mechanisms of action differ from those of conventional drugs. These peptides are produced naturally by all living organisms and can also be synthesized. However, as peptide chains become longer, synthesis and purification become increasingly complex and laborious. For decades, antimicrobial peptides have been synthesized on polymer supports using automated systems. Unfortunately, longer chains tend to fold more, preventing access of reagents within the cross-linked polymer network. Recombinant production of antimicrobial peptides has been achieved in various organisms called "cell factories," allowing for more sustainable synthesis. Recently, microalgae have emerged as a promising and sustainable alternative for the production of antimicrobial peptides. They are inexpensive, easy to cultivate, and capable of producing biologically valuable molecules, offering a potential solution to antibiotic resistance. This work reviews the current state of these "cell factories" and examines the advantages and limitations of microalgae for the future of biopharmaceutical production.