Innovative downstream approaches are reshaping how bacteriocins and BLIS are isolated from complex fermentation systems. By aligning separation techniques with peptide-specific traits, this review offers a roadmap for efficient recovery processes that bridge lab discovery with scalable production in food and health sectors.

Abstract

Bacteriocins and bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances (BLIS) are antimicrobial peptides produced by bacteria with diverse applications in food preservation, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology. Their practical use depends on efficient purification from complex fermentation broths to ensure bioactivity, purity, and safety. A range of purification techniques have been explored, including ammonium sulfate precipitation, aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS), pH-mediated cell adsorption–desorption, chromatography, and polyethylene glycol (PEG)-impregnated resin systems. Each method offers specific advantages and limitations regarding selectivity, recovery yield, process scalability, and compatibility with downstream operations. Innovation such as ionic liquid-based ATPS has demonstrated improved separation efficiency and milder processing conditions, making them attractive for sensitive biomolecules. Understanding the underlying principles of these methods enables the development of tailored purification workflows that enhance product quality and support the commercialization of bacteriocin-based bioactive agents.