Probiotic-Derived Antimicrobial Peptides as Alternatives to Antibiotics Against Salmonella | Research

The takeaway

Antimicrobial peptides from probiotic bacteria show promise as alternatives to antibiotics for controlling antibiotic-resistant Salmonella in poultry.

Leading foodborne killer
Non-typhoidal Salmonella is the top cause of foodborne illness deaths — probiotic AMPs may help

What the researchers found

Antimicrobial peptides isolated from probiotic bacteria demonstrate activity against Salmonella, representing a viable alternative to conventional antibiotics for poultry food safety.

Why it matters

Non-typhoidal Salmonella is the top cause of foodborne illness deaths in the US. Probiotic-derived antimicrobials could improve food safety while reducing antibiotic resistance.

How the study worked

Isolation and characterization of antimicrobial peptides from probiotic bacteria, with evaluation of anti-Salmonella activity.

What this study cannot tell us

Early-stage research — scalability for commercial poultry use not assessed. In vivo efficacy in poultry production not validated.

How to read the evidence

In vitro antimicrobial study — demonstrates proof of concept for probiotic-derived AMPs against Salmonella.

When this study was published

Published in 2026; addresses the growing crisis of antibiotic-resistant Salmonella.

The bigger picture

Probiotic-derived antimicrobials bridge the gap between food safety and antibiotic stewardship, addressing two major public health challenges simultaneously.

Questions still open

Can probiotic AMPs be incorporated into poultry feed for practical Salmonella control?
Do these peptides affect beneficial gut bacteria in poultry?

Common questions

Can probiotics fight Salmonella?

Probiotic bacteria produce antimicrobial peptides that can kill Salmonella. This study suggests these natural compounds could replace antibiotics in poultry farming to reduce foodborne illness risk.

Why are antibiotic alternatives needed for poultry?

Antibiotic overuse in poultry has created drug-resistant Salmonella strains that are harder to treat in humans. Natural antimicrobial peptides from probiotics offer an alternative that may avoid this resistance problem.

Read the original research

Antimicrobial peptides isolated from probiotics as an alternative to antibiotics against Salmonella infection.

Applied and environmental microbiology, 92(2), e0165425

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Bhandari, Menuka; Lokesh, Dhanashree; Thenissery, Anusree; Shrestha, Rajeev; Rajashekara, Gireesh. (2026). Antimicrobial peptides isolated from probiotics as an alternative to antibiotics against Salmonella infection.. Applied and environmental microbiology, 92(2), e0165425. https://doi.org/10.1128/aem.01654-25