Natural Alternatives to Conventional Antimicrobials and Preservatives
A special issue of Antibiotics (ISSN 2079-6382). This special issue belongs to the section "Novel Antimicrobial Agents".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026 | Viewed by 16
Special Issue Editors
2. Linking Landscape Environment Agriculture and Food Research Center (LEAF), Associated Laboratory TERRA, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, Portugal
Interests: biopreservatives; bioactive compounds; antimicrobial peptides; microbiome; food microbiology; microbial pathogens; microplastics; plastisphere
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
2. Elisa Câmara, Lda, Dermocosmética, Centro Empresarial de Talaíde, n°7 e 8, São Domingos de Rana, 2785-723 Lisbon, Portugal
Interests: biopreservatives; bioactive compounds; antimicrobial peptides; cosmetic products, valorization of food by-products; microbial pathogens
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The increasing concern regarding antimicrobial resistance, together with consumer and industrial demand for safer and more sustainable preservation strategies, has intensified the search for effective natural alternatives to conventional antimicrobials and preservatives. Bioactive compounds derived from microorganisms, plants, animals, and other natural sources offer promising opportunities for controlling pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms in healthcare, food, veterinary, agricultural, and biotechnological applications.
This Special Issue aims to gather original research articles and reviews addressing the discovery, characterization, mechanisms of action, efficacy, safety, formulation, and application of natural antimicrobial and preservative agents. Relevant topics include, but are not limited to, antimicrobial peptides, bacteriocins, mycocins, microbial metabolites, plant-derived compounds, essential oils, biopreservatives, synergistic combinations, delivery systems, antibiofilm strategies, and approaches to reduce the emergence of antimicrobial resistance.
Particular attention is encouraged for studies that bridge laboratory findings with practical applications, regulatory considerations, sustainability, and translational potential. We welcome contributions that advance natural antimicrobial strategies as credible and effective alternatives to conventional preservation and infection-control approaches.
Dr. Patricia Branco
Dr. Elisabete Muchagato Mauricio
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Antibiotics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- natural antimicrobials
- natural preservatives
- biopreservatives
- antimicrobial peptides
- bacteriocins
- mycocins
- microbial metabolites
- plant-derived antimicrobials
- essential oils
- antibiofilm strategies
- antimicrobial resistance
- food preservation
- alternative therapeutics
- sustainable antimicrobial strategies
- bioactive compounds
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