Antimicrobial Peptides Designed in silico: Safeguarding Against Botrytis cinerea and Food spoilage

Botrytis cinerea, a fungal pathogen known for causing grey mold diseases in post-harvest plant products, presents a serious global concern due to its impact on food safety and economic stability. To address this challenge, various studies have explored the use of safe and effective fungicides to curb fungal growth associated with food spoilage. In this study, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) designed through computational methods were tested for their antifungal effects on Botrytis cinerea ( B. cinerea ). The tested peptide sequences showed strong antifungal properties, with complete inhibition observed at the highest concentrations tested (2500, 1250, and 625 µg/ml). Additionally, AMP cytotoxicity was assessed through Alamar Blue absorbance readings to evaluate the viability of treated neonatal fibroblast cells. Results showed that the computationally modelled AMPs are effective at a concentration of 312 µg/ml, indicating their potential as an alternative to conventional fungicides in preventing food spoilage. This study emphasizes the potential of bioengineered AMPs to support a safer, more sustainable agricultural practice and address the rising demand for effective biocontrol agents in food preservation.