Antimicrobial peptides are a subgroup of antimicrobials consisting of polypeptides of 12 to 50 amino acids, produced as part of the innate immune system response in all higher eukaryotes but also microorganisms. They play a key role in defending against other microbial species and may even target cancer cells or fungi . Antimicrobial peptides are synthesized either through ribosomal pathways, utilizing canonical amino acids, often followed by extensive post-translational modification as in the case of ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) , or via nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPS), giant multifunctional enzymes found in bacteria, fungi but also higher eukaryotes .