Lactoferrin's antibacterial activity is biphasic: iron sequestration reduces bacterial iron availability (bacteriostatic), while the cationic lactoferricin peptide from the N-terminus disrupts bacterial outer membranes through electrostatic interaction with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) — providing direct bactericidal activity independent of iron binding.

Can lactoferrin treat bacterial infections without antibiotics?

Lactoferrin is bacteriostatic/mildly bactericidal but is not a substitute for antibiotic therapy in established bacterial infections. It may complement antibiotic treatment (enhancing bacterial membrane permeability to antibiotics) but should not replace prescribed antibiotics.

Does lactoferrin cause antibiotic resistance?

No. Unlike antibiotics that inhibit specific bacterial enzyme pathways, lactoferrin's iron sequestration and membrane disruption mechanisms do not create selection pressure for specific resistance mutations. Bacteria have not developed resistance to iron deprivation.