Natural Product Antifungal Agents from Plant Extracts

Plant-derived antifungal agents have emerged as a promising alternative to synthetic fungicides in both agriculture and medicine. Over millennia, terrestrial flora have evolved an array of secondary metabolites—such as terpenes, alkaloids and phenolic compounds—to deter phytopathogens. These compounds exhibit diverse mechanisms of action, including disruption of fungal cell walls and membranes, inhibition of enzymatic pathways and interference with spore germination. Advances in extraction technologies, from conventional solvent‐based methods to green approaches like supercritical fluid extraction and enzyme‐assisted extraction, have enhanced the yield and purity of bioactive constituents. Formulation strategies encompass encapsulation, emulsification and conjugation with chitosan oligomers to improve solubility, stability and delivery. The global significance of plant‐based antifungals is underscored by rising incidences of resistance to synthetic agents, environmental concerns and regulatory pressures to reduce chemical inputs. Practical applications range from postharvest coatings to field sprays in organic and conventional farming systems, with potential extension into dermatological and systemic therapies. While challenges remain—standardisation, scale‐up and regulatory approval—the integration of phytochemical diversity with modern delivery technologies positions natural product antifungals as a sustainable pillar of integrated pest and disease management.

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Natural Product Antifungal Agents from Plant Extracts publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in natural product antifungal agents from plant extracts across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Secondary metabolites: Organic compounds produced by plants that are not directly involved in growth but serve ecological functions such as defence against pathogens.

Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC): The lowest concentration of an antimicrobial agent that prevents visible growth of a microorganism in vitro.

Effective concentration (EC90): The concentration of a substance that achieves a 90 percent reduction in pathogen growth or disease symptoms under specified conditions.

Biofungicide: A formulation derived from biological sources, typically containing living organisms or natural products, used to suppress fungal pathogens.

Phytopathogen: An organism, often a fungus, bacterium or virus, that causes disease in plants.

References

1. Biofungicides Based on Plant Extracts: On the Road to Organic Farming. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2024).
2. Armeria maritima (Mill.) Willd. Flower Hydromethanolic Extract for Cucurbitaceae Fungal Diseases Control. Molecules (2023).
3. Antifungal Activity of Plant Waste Extracts against Phytopathogenic Fungi: Allium sativum Peels Extract as a Promising Product Targeting the Fungal Plasma Membrane and Cell Wall. Horticulturae (2023).