Are Plant-Based Endocrine Modulators the Future of Sustainable Sex Control in Aquaculture?

This review article explored the use of various plant extracts for the masculinization of different fish species as a sustainable alternative to synthetic hormones. It highlighted several plant extracts—Basella alba, Tribulus terrestris, Eurycoma longifolia, Mucuna pruriens, Nauclea latifolia, Piper retrofractum, Carica papaya, and Pinus kesiya—each demonstrating unique mechanisms and varying degrees of effectiveness in promoting masculinization. For example, Basella alba yielded male ratios of up to 80.20% in the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), while Tribulus terrestris achieved 70.83% in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Eurycoma longifolia and Mucuna pruriens showed considerable potential, with masculinization rates of 76.36 and 93.79%, respectively. These findings suggest that natural plant extracts can effectively increase male ratios while offering advantages in environmental safety, cost-efficiency, and sustainability. This review underscores the importance of optimizing plant-based treatments in aquaculture, paving the way for eco-friendlier and economically viable fish farming practices. Future research should focus on standardizing dosages and application methods, evaluating long-term effects on fish health, and assessing the feasibility of large-scale implementation.