Antimicrobial peptides isolated from probiotics as an alternative to antibiotics against <i>Salmonella</i> infection

Non-typhoidal <i>Salmonella</i> (NTS) is the leading cause of foodborne-associated deaths in the United States, with 420 deaths reported annually. Although antibiotics are used to control NTS invasive infection, overuse of antibiotics has accelerated the evolution of multidrug-resistant (MDR) <i>Salmonella</i>, necessitating the development of novel alternatives to antibiotics. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are promising alternatives to antibiotics due to their activity against MDR <i>Salmonella</i>, lower chances of acquiring resistance, selectivity, and stability. This study investigated the effect of two AMPs, PN3 and PN5, against <i>Salmonella</i>. Our results demonstrated that PN3 and PN5 inhibit the growth of <i>Salmonella</i>, are stable at higher temperatures, and are resistant to proteolytic enzyme activity. <i>Salmonella</i> exposed to peptides were not prone to acquire resistance. Peptides were effective against <i>Salmonella</i> in the wax moth model and chickens. This study characterized two AMPs identified previously with potential for developing a novel approach to control <i>Salmonella</i> in poultry, prevent foodborne illnesses, and mitigate the rising antimicrobial resistance problem.