Research progress of insecticidal peptides: a review

Traditional insecticides have made remarkable contributions to pest control and crop harvest, but bring about some adverse impacts on environment due to their chemical properties and unreasonable use. Consequently, it is particularly urgent to discover pesticides with unique structure, excellent performance and green safety on the premise of ecological friendliness. Polypeptide is composed of multiple amino acids connected by peptide bonds, and also is an intermediate product of protein degradation and plays a significant role in the life process. In recent years, insecticidal peptides have become a rising star in the field of pesticides thanks to their novel mechanism, excellent activity and ideal environmental compatibility. This review mainly summarizes the research progress and application of insecticidal peptides from animals, plants and micro-organisms, and prospect for future research trends.