Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are small proteins present in different lifeforms in nature or that result from enzymatic digestion of proteins that provide a defence against microbial infections.
AMPs are prospective alternative antimicrobial agents for the future, however, only very few of the AMPs have been commercialized so far
RADOV aims to develop a new method for the commercial production of AMPs. It will use beams of electrons to synthesise the AMPs from egg proteins, preferably from an abundant waste stream of the egg industry, such as the eggshell membrane.
The project will integrate the AMPs into two new products, hydrogel wound dressings and plastic foils for food packaging, as an effective demonstration of the potential of the technique.
If successful, this work will open up a wide range of new opportunities for the use of bio-active peptides.