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Antioxidants
Special Issues
Plant Materials and Their Antioxidant Potential, 3rd Edition
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Plant Materials and Their Antioxidant Potential, 3rd Edition

A special issue of Antioxidants (ISSN 2076-3921). This special issue belongs to the section "Natural and Synthetic Antioxidants".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2026 | Viewed by 5623

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Elisabeta Irina Geana

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
ICSI Analytics, National Institute for Research and Development for Cryogenic and Isotopic Technologies—ICSI Rm. Vâlcea, 4th Uzinei Street, 240050 Râmnicu Vâlcea, Romania
Interests: valorization of agro-industrial waste of plant biomass type in bioproducts with added value in the circular bioeconomy system; extraction, identification and quantification of biologically active principles with antioxidant potential (polyphenols, organic acids, amino acids, and terpenes) and sugars from complex matrices (e.g., wine, honey, fruits, plants, natural extracts, organic products, functional foods, and agro-industrial by-products); technical skills: HPLC and hyphenated techniques (UHPLC-MS/MS, UHPLC-DAD, UHPLC-FL, HPLC-ELSD); GC-FID; UV-Vis; FT-IR; AAS; ICP-MS; electrochemistry (sensors/biosensors); extraction techniques (MAE, ASE, and Soxhlet)
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Ovidiu Tita

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Agricultural Sciences and Food Engineering, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, 550012 Sibiu, Romania
Interests: food science and technology; food microbiology and safety; food biotechnology; ecology and environmental protection in the food industry; general food technology; industrial engineering; engineering and quality control of food; authentication of food; nutrition
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The daily stresses that we experience produce a significant amount of free radicals in our bodies that, over time, affect our health. To eliminate these free radicals, we need antioxidants from external sources. A great option for consuming these antioxidants is directly through the foods we eat. Medicinal plants have a high content of antioxidants and their use in our diet in various forms can provide a solution. Given global environmental concerns and resource scarcity, the agri-food industry is becoming increasingly aware of the importance of sustainable practices and waste reduction, along with the use of these resources to create products to maintain human health, such as food ingredients, functional foods, food supplements, nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals.

Through biotechnology, various plant raw materials and food by-products can be used under different conditions as valuable ingredients in various food products using environmentally friendly technologies. This is also expanding upon the concept of sustainable development and the idea of a circular bioeconomy. There are also opportunities in terms of identifying genuine sources of antioxidants from various known or less-studied raw plant materials. In this Special Issue, we invite researchers to provide original research and review articles that relate to antioxidants and human health. We welcome papers from researchers from a wide range of fields, such as the food industry and the fields of biotechnology, physiology, biochemistry, medicine and nutrition. The aim of this Special Issue is to provide a valuable collection of new knowledge in this field.

Dr. Elisabeta Irina Geana
Prof. Dr. Ovidiu Tita
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. Antioxidants 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

  • antiseptic
  • antioxidant
  • volatile oil
  • compounds
  • fruits and vegetables
  • medicinal plants
  • agri-food industry
  • food ingredients
  • functional foods
  • nutraceuticals
  • food supplements
  • pharmaceutical products
  • antioxidant activity
  • oxidative stress
  • aging
  • anti-inflammatory activity
  • sustainable recovery
  • circular bioeconomy

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 2120 KB  
Article
Grape Pomace Extract-Loaded Liposomes Enriched Cream Formulations for Skincare
by Cristiana Radulescu, Radu Lucian Olteanu, Ramona-Daniela Pavaloiu, Fawzia Sha’at, Gabriela Stanciu and Mihaela Nechifor (Tudorache)
Antioxidants 2026, 15(4), 421; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox15040421 - 27 Mar 2026
Viewed by 813
Abstract
This study aims to develop and characterize novel dermatocosmetic formulations designed to hydrate the skin, improve its appearance, reduce wrinkles, and provide antioxidant, anti-ageing, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory benefits, along with potential protection against UVA and UVB radiation. The formulations contain the following ingredients: [...] Read more.
This study aims to develop and characterize novel dermatocosmetic formulations designed to hydrate the skin, improve its appearance, reduce wrinkles, and provide antioxidant, anti-ageing, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory benefits, along with potential protection against UVA and UVB radiation. The formulations contain the following ingredients: xanthan gum (0.5%), Calendula officinalis oil (5%), Argania spinosa oil (5%), Helianthus annuus oil (5%), liposomes containing a hydroalcoholic extract of pomace from local red or white grapes (2%), an olive oil-based emulsifier (6%), vitamin E (0.5%), cetearyl alcohol (3%), propylene glycol (8%), and purified water (up to 100%). The natural ingredients used in these formulations, i.e., the red or white grape pomace extract from the aforementioned Romanian varieties, the oils of Calendula officinalis, Argania spinosa, and Helianthus annuus, xanthan gum, and the olive oil-based emulsifier (Olliva), promote the concept of ‘green cosmetics’. The use of liposomes to deliver bioactive substances from hydroalcoholic extracts allows the gradual release of active ingredients into the skin. An alternative for incorporating grape pomace extract into a cream-type matrix involves the use of liposomes. Liposomes loaded with red or white grape pomace extract were prepared using the thin-film hydration technique, followed by ultrasonication and extrusion. The obtained formulations were characterized using bio-physico-chemical analysis procedures in terms of consistency, colour, homogeneity, aroma, pH, stretch, texture, stability, and antioxidant activity/free radical scavenging capacity, as well as in vitro polyphenol release behaviour. These newly developed dermatocosmetic formulations were the subject of a patent application in Romania. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Materials and Their Antioxidant Potential, 3rd Edition)
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27 pages, 1238 KB  
Article
Bromatological Profile of Fruits from Sorbus aucuparia and Crataegus monogyna: Polyphenol Bioaccessibility and Inhibitory Effect on Lipid Peroxidation in a Biological Model
by Iulia Varzaru, Arabela Elena Untea, Petru Alexandru Vlaicu, Alexandra Gabriela Oancea and Raluca Paula Turcu
Antioxidants 2026, 15(3), 349; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox15030349 - 11 Mar 2026
Viewed by 636
Abstract
This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the bromatological profile of fruits from rowanberry (Sorbus aucuparia L.) and hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna Jacq.), as well as the polyphenol bioaccessibility under in vitro simulated gastrointestinal conditions, antioxidant activity and the inhibition of lipid [...] Read more.
This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the bromatological profile of fruits from rowanberry (Sorbus aucuparia L.) and hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna Jacq.), as well as the polyphenol bioaccessibility under in vitro simulated gastrointestinal conditions, antioxidant activity and the inhibition of lipid peroxidation in a biological model (egg yolk). The fruits were demonstrated to be rich in bioactive compounds, containing comparable total vitamin E levels (~65 mg/kg), with α-tocopherol as the predominant isomer, and measurable amounts of xanthophylls, mainly lutein (20.19–21.69 μg/g), astaxanthin, and canthaxanthin. HPLC-DAD analysis identified 19 polyphenolic compounds, with catechin being the dominant compound in rowanberry fruits (4.36 mg/g), while epigallocatechin and catechin were the most abundant in hawthorn fruits. In vitro gastrointestinal digestion showed elevated intestinal bioaccessibility of hydroxybenzoic acids, with ellagic acid reaching ~96% in the intestinal phase of rowanberry fruits and ~109% in hawthorn fruits, indicating increased availability. In hawthorn fruits, flavanols exhibited greater stability and higher bioaccessibility, with catechin reaching 101% in the gastric phase, epicatechin remaining highly bioaccessible (98–97%), and epigallocatechin showing moderate bioaccessibility (24–50%). Both fruit extracts exhibited antioxidant activity, with hawthorn fruits showing significantly higher ABTS and DPPH scavenging capacities. Rowanberry and hawthorn fruits exhibited an inhibitory effect on lipid peroxidation in yolk homogenates, reducing malondialdehyde formation to 37.19 mg/kg and 20.58 mg/kg from 50.79 mg/kg, respectively, although their efficacy remained lower than that of synthetic antioxidants. The findings of this study indicate that rowanberry and hawthorn fruits are promising sources of bioactive compounds, exhibiting significant antioxidant activity in biological models and supporting the potential valorization of these underutilized fruits for functional food and nutraceutical applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Materials and Their Antioxidant Potential, 3rd Edition)
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16 pages, 2951 KB  
Article
Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Constituents from the Roots of Anodendron affine: Inhibition of the fMLP-Induced Superoxide Anion Generation and Molecular Docking Studies
by Shih-Jung Cheng, Yuen-Sing Lee, Lin-Yang Cheng, Sin-Min Li and Jih-Jung Chen
Antioxidants 2026, 15(1), 97; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox15010097 - 12 Jan 2026
Viewed by 873
Abstract
Oxidative stress is a key driver of chronic inflammatory diseases. Anodendron affine is a native Formosan plant species in Taiwan that remains largely underexplored phytochemically and bioactivity. To reveal the bioactive constituents and assess its potential as a source of anti-inflammatory antioxidants, we [...] Read more.
Oxidative stress is a key driver of chronic inflammatory diseases. Anodendron affine is a native Formosan plant species in Taiwan that remains largely underexplored phytochemically and bioactivity. To reveal the bioactive constituents and assess its potential as a source of anti-inflammatory antioxidants, we performed bioactivity-guided fractionation and evaluated the inhibition of superoxide anion (O2•−) generation in formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine-stimulated human neutrophils. Molecular docking simulations were employed to model interactions with Formyl peptide receptor 1 (FPR1) and the Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase complex, including neutrophil cytosol factor 1 (p47phox) and NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2), to propose a theoretical mechanism of action. Phytochemical investigation led to the isolation of two new compounds, methyl 4,5-O-diferuloyl-3-methoxyquinate (1) and 16-pregnen-3,12,20-trione (2), together with four known compounds. Notably, 4-hydroxy-3-prenylbenzoic acid (5) exhibited potent inhibitory activity (IC50 = 17.65 ± 0.97 μM), surpassing the activity of the positive control, ibuprofen (IC50 = 27.85 ± 3.56 μM). Docking studies suggested that anodendrosin H (4) and 4-hydroxy-3-prenylbenzoic acid (5) exhibit high predicted binding affinity to p47phox and NOX2. Based on these results, compounds 1, 4, and 5 from A. affine were identified as potential lead candidates for the development of novel anti-inflammatory therapeutics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Materials and Their Antioxidant Potential, 3rd Edition)
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20 pages, 4395 KB  
Article
Optimizing Extraction Polarity for Multifunctional Bioactivities and Phenolic Composition in Polygonum cuspidatum Sieb. et Zucc. Ultrasonic Extraction
by Yuchen Cheng, Myat Pwint Phyu, Yuri Kang, Tao Lyu and Woonjung Kim
Antioxidants 2025, 14(12), 1431; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox14121431 - 28 Nov 2025
Viewed by 1333
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to optimize the extraction of bioactive compounds from Polygonum cuspidatum Sieb. et Zucc. (P. cuspidatum) by evaluating the effect of ethanol concentration. Methods: Ultrasonic extraction was performed using ethanol concentrations of 0%, 30%, 50%, and 70%, and [...] Read more.
Objective: This study aimed to optimize the extraction of bioactive compounds from Polygonum cuspidatum Sieb. et Zucc. (P. cuspidatum) by evaluating the effect of ethanol concentration. Methods: Ultrasonic extraction was performed using ethanol concentrations of 0%, 30%, 50%, and 70%, and the resulting extracts were assessed for their chemical composition and multifunctional bioactivities. Results: The 70% Ethanol extract exhibited the highest total polyphenol and flavonoid contents and demonstrated the most potent antioxidant, enzyme-inhibitory, and antimicrobial activities, with significant differences (p < 0.05) compared to other concentrations. Chemical analysis identified tannic acid, emodin, and a variety of phenolic compounds as the primary bioactive constituents. Structural analyses using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopy revealed that 70% Ethanol induced the most pronounced structural changes to the cell wall, while FT-IR analysis confirmed the presence of O-H, C=O, C=C, and C-O functional groups, providing a mechanistic basis for the superior extraction efficiency and bioactivity. Conclusions: Ethanol concentration is a critical determinant for maximizing the bioactivity of P. cuspidatum. Extraction with 70% ethanol is identified as the optimal condition, supporting the potential of this plant as a source of natural bioactive compounds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Materials and Their Antioxidant Potential, 3rd Edition)
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22 pages, 346 KB  
Article
Antioxidant Properties and Antinutritional Components of Flowers from Five Pumpkin Species
by Małgorzata Stryjecka, Tomasz Cebulak, Barbara Krochmal-Marczak and Anna Kiełtyka-Dadasiewicz
Antioxidants 2025, 14(11), 1353; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox14111353 - 12 Nov 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1335
Abstract
The contents of total polyphenols, flavonoids, phenolic acids, anthocyanins, and carotenoids were determined using spectrophotometric and chromatographic methods, alongside antioxidant activity: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP), Cupric Reducing Antioxidant Capacity (CUPRAC), and hydroxyl radical scavenging assays). Additionally, the levels of antinutritional [...] Read more.
The contents of total polyphenols, flavonoids, phenolic acids, anthocyanins, and carotenoids were determined using spectrophotometric and chromatographic methods, alongside antioxidant activity: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP), Cupric Reducing Antioxidant Capacity (CUPRAC), and hydroxyl radical scavenging assays). Additionally, the levels of antinutritional compounds (tannins, phytates, oxalates, alkaloids, and saponins) were assessed in the flowers of five pumpkin species: giant pumpkin, summer squash, butternut squash, fig-leaf gourd, and cushaw squash (Cucurbita maxima, C. pepo, C. moschata, C. ficifolia, and C. argyrosperma). The results revealed significant interspecific variation in both bioactive and antinutritional compounds. Giant pumpkin flowers exhibited the highest content of polyphenols and phenolic acids, fig-leaf gourd flowers were the richest in carotenoids, whereas butternut squash flowers had the highest anthocyanin levels. The strongest antioxidant activity was observed in giant pumpkin flowers, which can be attributed to their high phenolic and flavonoid content. Despite the presence of moderate amounts of antinutritional compounds, pumpkin flowers can be considered a valuable edible raw material with nutraceutical potential. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Materials and Their Antioxidant Potential, 3rd Edition)
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