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Summary: Resistance to antibiotics is an ongoing problem in the biomedical industry. Developing active, alternative drug therapies would reduce our reliance on antibiotics that induce resistance in micro‐organisms. To date, bacteriocins and antimicrobial peptides have shown a positive outcome as antibiotic substitutes and synergists apart from phage therapy, antibodies and probiotics. Bacteriocins are proteinaceous antimicrobial peptides synthesized by lactic acid bacteria extensively used as bio‐preservatives and alternative to traditional antibiotics to overcome the problem of drug‐resistant pathogens. Nonetheless, the use of bacteriocins has several limitations such as limited antimicrobial spectrum, requiring high dose, sensitivity to proteolytic enzymes, etc. Nanoparticles are one of the promising area of research explored to improve antimicrobial spectrum of bacteriocins. This review therefore highlights the recent developments and research pertaining to use of nanoparticles and bacteriocin conjugates to tackle the resistance crisis as well as its applications in food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protein nanocomposites have attracted considerable research interest in recent times owing to the combined advantageous properties of nanotechnology and proteins. Lysozyme holds enormous potential in various biomedical applications as it possesses antibacterial properties, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and analgesic properties. Considering its multifunctional aspects, structural stability and ease of production and modification, special focus has been attributed to this protein. Nanocomposites have either been fabricated completely from lysozyme or have been conjugated to lysozyme considering its versatile biotechnological applications. The current review describes the recent advances of protein nanocomposites using lysozyme as a prime example. Along with the principles, techniques, and applications involved in protein based nanocomposites, this review also provides a comprehensive account of interactions between lysozyme and different nanoparticles. Numerous studies that have integrated the utilization of lysozyme and nanotechnology for a variety of applications have also been discussed at length. Unlabelled Image • Protein nanocomposites offer many advantages over traditional nanomaterials. • Nanotechnology oriented research has greatly benefitted from lysozyme. • Lysozyme based nanoparticles encase the antimicrobial property of lysozyme. • Lysozyme-nanoparticle interactions unraveled protein fibrillation mechanisms. • Lysozyme conjugated nanomaterials are effective sensors and delivery vehicles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]