Discovery of hyde C1 a broad spectrum antimicrobial peptide derived from chicory

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are emerging as promising alternatives to traditional antibiotics against multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. In this study, we isolated and characterized a novel AMP, named Hyde C1, from the chicory plant (Cichorium intybus L.). Hyde C1 was purified using reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and determined to have a molecular weight of 3686.4 Da. It exhibits strong antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive (S. aureus ATCC 29213) and Gram-negative (E. coli ATCC 25922, P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853, A. baumannii ATCC 19606) bacteria, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 2 to 16 µg/mL. Hyde C1 disrupts bacterial membranes, as evidenced by increased permeability, membrane depolarization, and scanning electron microscopy. Bioinformatic analysis revealed its amphipathic α-helical structure, with a high hydrophobic ratio (61%) and a net positive charge (+ 6), supporting its bactericidal mechanism. The peptide also demonstrated high stability under various pH, temperature, and salt conditions, along with low hemolytic and cytotoxic effects. These properties suggest that Hyde C1 is a strong candidate for development as a novel antimicrobial agent.