Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria, exploiting their cellular machinery for replication. They employ a lytic system to disrupt the bacterial cell wall. Towards the end of the lytic cycle, phage proteins known as holins form pores in the cytoplasmic membrane, allowing endolysins to enter the peptidoglycan and hydrolyze it, resulting in bacterial lysis. Endolysins possess modular structures, with enzymatically active domains and cell wall binding domains enabling specific recognition and breakdown of peptidoglycan bonds in bacteria, particularly Gram -positive species. Endolysins have evolved over millions of years, exhibiting high efficiency in bacterial lysis. In the context of the poultry industry, antibiotics play a crucial role in disease control and growth promotion, but their overuse contributes to antibiotic resistance and poses risks of zoonotic infections. Bacteriophage endolysins represent a promising alternative for combating multidrug -resistant (MDR) bacterial infections and eradicating bacterial biofilms associated with poultry pathogens. However, challenges including delivery stability and efficacy in poultry environments need to be addressed. Encapsulation into liposomes or nanoparticles enhances endolysin stability and delivery, while spray -dried formulations can preserve bioactivity and enhance stability for potential poultry applications. Endolysins offer a viable alternative to antibiotics for combating bacterial resistance, although further research is needed to optimize their application and overcome limitations. This review describes bacteriophage endolysins as a sustainable alternative to antibiotics in poultry farming.
