Antimicrobials offered from nature: Peroxidase-catalyzed systems and their mimics

The control of antimicrobial resistance requires the development of novel antimicrobial alternatives and naturally occurring peroxidase-catalyzed systems may be of great value in this era of emerging antimicrobial resistance. In the peroxidase system, a peroxidase enzyme catalyzes the oxidation of a halide/pseudohalide, at the expense of hydrogen peroxide, to generate reactive products with broad antimicrobial properties. The appropriate use of peroxidase systems needs a better understanding of the identities and properties of the generated antimicrobial oxidants, specific targets in bacterial cells, their mode of action and the factors favoring or limiting their activity. Here, the ABCs (antibacterial activity, bacterial “backtalk” and cytotoxicity) of these systems and their mimics are discussed. Particular attention is paid to the concomitant use of thiocyanate and iodide dual substrates in peroxidase/peroxidase-free systems with implications on their antimicrobial activity. This review also provides a summary of actual applications of peroxidase systems as bio-preservatives in oral healthcare, milk industry, food/feed specialties and related products, mastitis and wound treatment; lastly, this review points to opportunities for further research and potential applications.