Antifungal activity of novel synthetic peptides by accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and disruption of cell wall against Candida albicans

► VS2 and VS3 peptides are amphipathic cationic, containing a non- protein amino acid α,β-didehydrophenylalanine. ► VS2 and VS3 peptides enter the Candida cells by permeabilizating the membrane. ► Damage to the Candida cell wall was shown by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. ► VS2 and VS3 peptides rapidly kill albicans and non-albicans species of Candida by cell wall disruption, ROS accumulation and necrosis. ► These peptides are synergistic to azoles.