Harnessing plant-derived antifungal agents and nanoencapsulation for postharvest pathogen management: A comprehensive review

Fungal pathogens cause significant post-harvest losses in agriculture, threatening food security and human health through mycotoxin contamination. Synthetic fungicides, although effective, pose risks such as toxicity, environmental damage, and the development of resistance. Plant-derived antifungal agents, including essential oils and crude extracts, have emerged as promising biodegradable and safer alternatives. However, their practical use is limited by challenges like volatility, poor solubility, and instability. Nanotechnology provides innovative solutions to these limitations through encapsulation systems that improve stability, bioavailability, and controlled release. This review examines recent advances in botanical antifungals and their nanoencapsulation, exploring their mechanisms, efficacy, and potential as sustainable replacements for synthetic fungicides. Future research should focus on optimizing nanoformulations, scaling up production, and validating field performance. • Plant-derived agents have antifungal activities. • Plant-derived antifungal agents often contain a complex mixture of compounds that can act synergistically, enhancing antifungal activity. • Antifungal activity of plant-derived antifungal agents is different. • Fungal strains react differently to plant-derived antifungal agents. • Plant-derived antifungals offer a promising avenue for developing new drugs to overcome resistance mechanisms. • This article summarizes the in vitro effects of Plant-derived antifungal agents against different fungal strains in different inoculation media.