The structure, properties, synthesis method and antimicrobial mechanism of ε-polylysine with the preservative effects for aquatic products

•ε-polylysine as a natural antibacterial agent has received extensive attention.•This review provides a state-of-art of ε-polylysine in food preservation.•This review confirms that ε-polylysine has the extraordinary antibacterial effect of maintaining good quality.•This review reveals the great potential and commercial prospects of ε-polylysine in the future.