A synthetic peptide corresponding to the first 11 N-terminal amino acids of human lactoferrin (hLF1-11) with potential antimicrobial activity. Although the exact mechanism through which this peptide exerts its effect has yet to be fully elucidated, hLF1-11 binds ferric iron, limiting the availability of free iron for microbial functions. hLF1-11 may be effective against a variety of bacteria and fungi, including multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains of Acinetobacter baumannii and Staphylococcus aureus, and fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans strains. Human lactoferrin, a 692 amino acid glycoprotein belonging to the transferrin family of metal-binding proteins, can be found in human milk and other secretory fluids, and the secondary granules of polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells. Human lactoferrin plays a role in the innate defense of mucosal surfaces.