PubMed · 2026-07-09
Researchers propose a structured framework for replacing synthetic antifungals in livestock feed with plant-derived compounds like thymol, cinnamaldehyde, and curcumin. By targeting fungi through five simultaneous biological pathways, these plant extracts make resistance evolution far less likely than single-drug treatments, while scoring tools help producers select and combine them for real-world use.
60-80% of global feed commodities are contaminated by toxin-producing fungi, causing multi-billion-dollar losses annually through animal illness, reduced productivity, and food chain carry-over.
Engaging five simultaneous antifungal mechanisms (membrane disruption, mycotoxin-gene silencing, oxidative stress, enzyme interference, and signal-transduction blockade) makes resistance evolution geometrically less probable than single-target synthetic drugs.
Six plant compounds scored highest on a six-criteria readiness model: thymol (thyme), eugenol (cloves), cinnamaldehyde (cinnamon), citral (lemongrass), curcumin (turmeric), and resveratrol (grapes).
