Antibiotics are widely used in clinical treatment and animal production as an effective means to combat microbial infections. Antimicrobial peptides, as potential alternatives to antibiotics, have shown promising applications. However, owing to their broad‐spectrum antimicrobial activity, most antimicrobial peptides tend to cause imbalance in the host’s intestinal flora. In addition, the systemic use of broad‐spectrum drugs for the treatment of localized infections may cause toxicity, which should not be overlooked. Antibiotics are widely used in clinical treatment and animal production as an effective means to combat microbial infections. Antimicrobial peptides, as potential alternatives to antibiotics, have shown promising applications. However, owing to their broad‐spectrum antimicrobial activity, most antimicrobial peptides tend to cause imbalance in the host’s intestinal flora. In addition, the systemic use of broad‐spectrum drugs for the treatment of localized infections may cause toxicity, which should not be overlooked. Cell & Microbiology Biotechnology Phys.org – latest science and technology news stories