Antimicrobial peptides have potential to be a high-value product purified from waste ovine blood. Previous work characterised antimicrobial peptides isolated from ovine neutrophils and determined the mechanisms of action. Here it is shown that the crude antimicrobial extract can be produced on a pilot-scale while retaining the antimicrobial activity. This crude extract could be used as a biopreservative for chilled lamb meat products or in a topical cream for treating cuts and grazes. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.