Abstract:ε-poly-l-lysine (ε-PL) is a natural antibacterial agent with a wide range of bacteriostatic spectrum. It is synthesized by the polymerization of 25 to 35 lysines linked by α-carboxyl group and ε-amino group. ε-PL is mainly produced by the fermentation of Streptomyces albulus, which is more efficient and environmentally friendly than chemical production. ε-PL has many excellent properties, such as good water solubility, heat resistance, edibility and nontoxicity to the environment, and has good application prospects. In this paper, the research progress of ε-PL on the bacteriostatic properties, bacteriostatic mechanisms, and bacteriostatic mechanism models of various microorganisms were reviewed. It was speculated that ε-PL may affect the expression of regulatory genes by destroying the cell membrane, changing the permeability of cells, or acting on the cells to cause the stress of reactive oxygen (ROS), so as to play an antibacterial role. According to these two bacteriostatic methods, corresponding bacteriostatic models were established, respectively, namely the carpet model and the ROS-induced apoptosis model. This study provides references for the further study of ε-PL on microbial inhibition, and also puts forward a new model of ε-PL antibacterial mechanism, thus providing certain references for expanding the application field of ε-PL.
