The extensive use of antibiotics in food animal production has raised significant concerns regarding antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which poses a critical threat to global public health. As pathogens become resistant to existing antibiotics, the effectiveness of these drugs diminishes, leading to increased morbidity and mortality in both animals and humans. The agricultural industry is searching for viable alternatives to antibiotics to mitigate the risk of AMR while ensuring animal health, productivity, and food safety. This proposal seeks to explore alternative solutions, such as natural compounds, probiotics, prebiotics, and synthetic biology-based interventions to reduce or replace the use of antibiotics in animal husbandry.

This Research Topic will investigate various alternatives to antibiotics in food animals, focusing on their efficacy, safety, and potential for large-scale application. The study will encompass several key components:

- Identification of Alternatives: Reviewing existing literature to identify promising natural and synthetic compounds, including plant extracts, essential oils, probiotics, prebiotics, and bacteriophages.

- Mechanism of Action: Analyzing how these alternatives work to enhance the immune response, inhibit pathogen growth, or disrupt microbial communication (quorum sensing).

- Experimental Evaluation: Conducting in vitro and in vivo experiments to assess the effectiveness of these alternatives in comparison to traditional antibiotics.

- Safety Assessment: Evaluating the safety profiles of the identified alternatives through toxicological studies and determining their impact on animal health and product quality.

- Field Trials: Implementing field trials to study the practicality and effectiveness of the most promising alternatives in real-world farming environments.

- Regulatory and Economic Analysis: Investigating the regulatory landscape and performing an economic analysis to evaluate the cost-effectiveness and potential market impact of these alternatives.

This article collection will be focused primarily on veterinary science, leveraging expertise in animal health and disease management to discover and validate alternatives to antibiotics. The scope includes:

- Experimental Research: Laboratory-based studies and controlled field trials within the realm of veterinary science, focusing on the direct application to animal health.

- Literature Review: Comprehensive analysis of existing veterinary research and data specific to alternatives to antibiotics.

- Safety and Regulatory Review: Assessing veterinary-specific legal and safety requirements for introducing new compounds in animal husbandry.

- Practical Field Applications: Conducting field trials in real-world farming environments to assess the implementation and efficacy of the alternatives.

The primary goal of this Research Topic is to identify and validate effective and sustainable alternatives to antibiotics for use in food animal production. By doing so, this special issue aims to mitigate the risk of antimicrobial resistance, ensure animal health and welfare, and maintain food safety. The outcomes will provide actionable insights and recommendations for farmers, policymakers, and industry leaders regarding the adoption of alternative interventions in animal husbandry.

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Alternatives to Antibiotics in Food Animals: Exploring Natural and Synthetic Interventions