The role of the antimicrobial peptide nisin as a clean label food preservative

The bacteriocin nisin can play a role in addressing the global need for safe, effective, and 'clean label' preservation strategies. Nisin A and its variants are among the most extensively studied antimicrobial peptides. Despite many advantages, nisin exhibits limitations in complex food matrices, including reduced solubility at neutral pH, susceptibility to proteolytic degradation, and poor activity against Gram-negative bacteria. We highlight recent advances aimed at overcoming these challenges, including novel delivery systems and the development of novel nisin variants with improved physicochemical properties, resistance to enzymatic degradation, and expanded antimicrobial spectra. Additionally, emerging research suggests a potential role for nisin as a functional food component capable of modulating the gut microbiome, although its effects appear context-dependent and require further investigation. We suggest that a diversified portfolio of nisin variants combined with advances in delivery strategies can position nisin and its variants as a key tool in the development of sustainable, safe, and minimally processed food.