Rethinking antibiotics: New materials, new possibilities for animal health
Reducing reliance on antibiotics in animal industries requires more than good management, it demands new solutions. A recent project explored how nanostructured materials could offer effective alternatives to antibiotics, with promising results.
Across animal industries, tackling AMR starts with the fundamentals: good animal management, strong disease-prevention practices, and responsible antimicrobial use. But collective action also depends on innovation. To reduce reliance on antibiotics over the long term, new tools are needed to support animal health and productivity without contributing to resistance.
That challenge was at the heart of a recent SAAFE-supported collaboration between Calix and the University of South Australia (now Adelaide University), led by Professor Allison Cowin and Dr Xanthe Venn.
“Preventing disease will always be the first line of defence,” Professor Cowin said. “But if we want to meaningfully reduce antibiotic use, we also need effective alternatives that can be safely integrated into animal health management.”
The project investigated novel antimicrobial alternatives based on nanostructured magnesium oxide porous microparticles (MgO PMPs), produced using Calix’s proprietary flash calcination process. By varying environmental conditions during production, including different gases and metal dopants, the team developed more than 60 MgO PMP variants.
Each was screened for antibacterial activity, with 35 also assessed for cytotoxicity against skin cells to understand their safety profile.
“What was exciting about this work was the ability to fine-tune the material properties,” Dr Venn explained. “Small changes in how the particles were produced led to meaningful differences in antimicrobial performance.”
Several lead compounds demonstrated strong activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and significantly reduced biofilm formation by Staphylococcus aureus, a major contributor to persistent infections. Importantly, this antibacterial effectiveness was achieved with limited cytotoxicity at effective doses.
“Reducing biofilms is critical, particularly for skin and wound infections,” said Dr Venn. “Seeing that level of activity alongside low cytotoxicity is a very promising result.”
Beyond laboratory testing, the project confirmed that bioactive MgO PMPs can be produced at industrial scale, an essential step in translating research into practical solutions for animal industries.
“Demonstrating scalability was key,” Professor Cowin noted. “It shows these materials aren’t just scientifically interesting, they have genuine potential for real-world application.”
Concluding in January 2026, the project identified several new avenues for ongoing product development. Publications arising from the research will add valuable evidence to the scientific literature on mesoporous compounds and help inform future innovation in antimicrobial alternatives.
“This project has laid important groundwork,” Professor Cowin said. “It shows how materials science can contribute to practical, proportionate solutions to AMR while still supporting animal health and productivity.”
For animal industries navigating an AMR-constrained future, this research highlights how new materials, and new ways of thinking, can play a meaningful role in reducing reliance on antibiotics.