Antimicrobial peptides from marine environment

The rapid emergence in the rise of the multidrug-resistant bacteria necessitated the search for novel molecules that can overcome the resistance phenomenon; the naturally occurring cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) including bacteriocins especially those from the vast unexplored marine ecosystems can be viable alternatives to antibiotics. A range of AMPs have been isolated from marine species, however, only few have managed to reach the market so far after clinical trials which necessitate more intense research on to producing cost-effective and safe drugs from these peptides. This chapter summarizes recent research trends and scientific knowledge on to the antimicrobial marine peptides of marine origin and provides insights on to the diverse marine AMPs purified so far, their potential applications and the prospects for future.