Recombinant snakin antimicrobial peptides for sustainable crop and food preservation
Plant-derived Snakin/GASA antimicrobial peptides from garlic, mango, and eucalyptus offer broad-spectrum activity against bacteria, fungi, and parasites as green microbicides. Recombinant production with nanoencapsulation enhances peptide stability for use as bio-preservatives and disease control agents in agriculture and food safety.
Overview
This research program focuses on cationic host defence peptides (CHDPs) belonging to the Snakin/GASA family, identified in garlic (Allium sativum), mango (Mangifera indica), and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus). These plant-derived antimicrobial peptides show strong activity against viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites, making them attractive candidates for sustainable, green microbicides. By producing the peptides through recombinant biotechnology and stabilizing them with chitosan-based nanoencapsulation, the team aims to develop practical bio-preservatives for crop protection and food safety applications.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- Identification of Snakin/GASA-family peptides in garlic, mango, and eucalyptus, with sequence identities of 47%, 83%, and 77% respectively relative to the reference Snakin-1 from potato
- Conservation of the 12 characteristic cysteine residues that form the disulfide bridges essential for peptide stability and function
- In-silico structural modelling confirming folding patterns consistent with the Snakin/GASA family
- Expression profiling via qRT-PCR showing Snakin-1 expression approximately 17 times higher in garlic cloves than in roots and 1.8 times higher in leaves than in stems
- Recombinant expression strategy incorporating unconventional amino acids to enhance peptide performance
- Chitosan-based nanoencapsulation system to improve peptide stability, bioavailability, and controlled release
Technology readiness level
The project is currently at an early-to-mid research stage. Bioinformatic identification, sequence alignment, structural modelling, and gene expression profiling have been completed. The next phase will involve recombinant expression of the peptides, antimicrobial and fungicidal activity testing, and formulation of a bio-preservative product prototype. The technology is not yet commercially available but is positioned for validation through laboratory-scale characterization and formulation studies.
About Tecnológico de Monterrey
Tecnológico de Monterrey is a leading private, multi-campus research university in Mexico, recognized for entrepreneurship and industry collaboration. Its Monterrey headquarters anchors an urban innovation district with open lab space, prototyping, and shared testing facilities that welcome corporate collaborators. An integrated health system supports clinical research and translation, while structured internships and challenge-driven partnerships connect companies with faculty and student talent year-round. Research is supported by competitive federal funding through Mexico’s national science and technology council, along with industry contracts and international sponsors. A dedicated technology transfer office manages IP, licensing, and startup formation.
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