The aim of the present study was to evaluate the combined ef- fects of ε-PL and nisin compared with nisin alone, as a positive control. The ultimate goal of this work was to characterize the synergistic effects of these compounds to decrease the effective dose of antibiotics on resistant bacterial strains, thereby mini- mizing the potential toxic side effects of these drugs and reducing treatment costs. Moreover, we discuss the synergistic antibacterial mechanism of B. subtilis as the theoretical basis for the combined utilization of antimicrobial agents.