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Probiotic-Derived Bacteriocins for Veterinary Biofilm Control: Mechanisms, Evidence, and One Health Translation
Muhammad Hassan Khalid1, Farwa Farooq2, Bilal Aslam3
1Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins
|October 15, 2025
Summary
Bacteriocins show promise as novel antimicrobials against challenging biofilm infections in veterinary medicine, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional antibiotics and combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Further research is needed to overcome practical barriers to their widespread use.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Microbiology
- Antimicrobial Resistance
Background:
- Biofilm-related infections are a significant problem in veterinary medicine, contributing to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and impacting animal agriculture.
- Traditional antibiotics are often ineffective against biofilms, necessitating the development of alternative therapeutic strategies.
- Bacteriocins, antimicrobial peptides from lactic acid bacteria, present a viable alternative due to their broad-spectrum activity and low toxicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the mechanisms and applications of bacteriocins against biofilm-forming pathogens in livestock, poultry, and aquaculture.
- To synthesize cross-sector evidence and propose a mechanistic classification of bacteriocin action against biofilms.
- To identify translational gaps and practical pathways for bacteriocin implementation within a One Health framework.
Main Methods:
- Literature review synthesizing evidence from livestock, poultry, and aquaculture sectors.
- Analysis of bacteriocin mechanisms, including inhibition of adhesion, quorum sensing, and matrix disruption.
- Integration of veterinary and One Health perspectives to assess translational challenges.
Main Results:
- Bacteriocins demonstrate efficacy in mitigating various veterinary infections like mastitis and swine enteric diseases.
- Synergistic use of bacteriocins with other antimicrobials can enhance effectiveness and reduce reliance on antibiotics.
- A unique mechanistic classification of bacteriocin action against biofilms is proposed.
Conclusions:
- Bacteriocins are promising biotherapeutics for combating veterinary biofilm infections and addressing AMR.
- Translational challenges include the need for standardized models, in vivo validation, and farm-level trials.
- A structured development pipeline within the One Health framework is crucial for advancing bacteriocins in veterinary and public health.
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