An assemblage nexus of microorganisms enclosed in a composite extracellular polymeric matrix is called as a biofilm. The main factor causing biological fouling, or biofouling, is biofilms. Biofilm-mediated biofouling is a significant detrimental issue in several industries, including the maritime environment, industrial facilities, water treatment facilities, and medical implants. Conventional antibacterial remedies cannot wholly eradicate bacterial species owing to the structural rigidity of biofilm and the eventual growth of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms. Consequently, several approaches to disrupt the biofilm have been investigated to address this particular phenomenon. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have emerged as a promising contender in this category, offering several advantages over traditional solutions, including broad-spectrum action and lack of antibiotic resistance. Because biofouling significantly impacts the marine industry, AMPs derived from marine sources may be suitable natural inhibitors of bacterial proliferation. In this article, we discuss the range of physicochemical and structural diversity and the model of action seen in marine AMPs. This makes them an appealing strategy to mitigate biofilm and biofilm-mediated biofouling. This review also systematically summarizes recent research on marine AMPs from vertebrates and invertebrates and their industrial significance, shedding light on developing even better anti-biofouling materials shortly.
Keywords: AMPs; antibacterial; antimicrobial peptides; biofilm; biofouling; marine source; natural peptides.