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Applied Sciences
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Botanical Extracts: Biological Activities, Nanoformulations and Application
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Botanical Extracts: Biological Activities, Nanoformulations and Application

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Chemical and Molecular Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 October 2026 | Viewed by 2006

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Eszter Virág

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. One Health Institute, Faculty of Health Science, University of Debrecen, Egyetem Tér 1, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
2. Research Institute for Medicinal Plants and Herbs, Budakalász, Hungary
Interests: plant; biostimulants; biology
Dr. Beáta B. Tóth

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, One Health Institute, Faculty of Health Science, University of Debrecen, Egyetem Sq. 1, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
Interests: molecular biology; biodiversity; natural resource management; ecosystem ecology; plant ecology
Dr. Zoltán Zombori

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary
Interests: molecular biology; biotechnology‬; ‪plant biology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The scope of this Special Issue is to provide an interdisciplinary platform for recent advances in the discovery, characterization, and utilization of plant-derived bioactive compounds. Botanical extracts have long been recognized as valuable sources of therapeutic molecules, functional ingredients, and natural protectants in the fields of agriculture, food, and health sciences. In recent years, progress in extraction technologies, chemical profiling, and molecular biology has significantly expanded our understanding of their complex biological activities, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and anticancer properties.

A particular emphasis is placed on the emerging role of nanoformulations, which have revolutionized the delivery and bioavailability of botanical compounds. Nanocarriers, liposomes, nanoemulsions, and polymer-based systems provide innovative strategies to overcome solubility, stability, and targeted delivery challenges, thereby enhancing the efficacy and safety of natural products.

Furthermore, this Special Issue welcomes contributions that highlight the translational applications of botanical extracts and their formulations in medicine, nutrition, crop protection, and biotechnology. Both original research articles and comprehensive reviews are invited to stimulate cross-disciplinary dialogue and promote innovative solutions that bridge traditional knowledge with modern scientific approaches.

Dr. Eszter Virág
Dr. Beáta B. Tóth
Dr. Zoltán Zombori
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. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2400 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

  • botanical extracts
  • phytochemicals
  • biological activities
  • antioxidant activity
  • antimicrobial activity
  • nanoformulations
  • nanocarriers
  • bioavailability
  • natural products
  • sustainable applications

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 1465 KB  
Article
Response Surface Methodology-Optimized Ultrasonic-Assisted Extraction Combined with Folin–Ciocalteu Assay for Total Polyphenol Determination in Grape Seeds: Development and Application
by Chujun Li, Ruiqi Liu, Linlin Meng, Yuxin Meng, Shuang Xu, Xin Wang, Lihong Wang, Tao Lan and Tong Zhou
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(7), 3306; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16073306 - 29 Mar 2026
Viewed by 293
Abstract
A robust Folin–Ciocalteu method, coupled with an optimized ultrasonic-assisted extraction, was established for accurate quantification of total polyphenols in high-oil grape seed matrices, where lipid interference and low extraction efficiency have been persistent challenges. Samples were first defatted with n-hexane to eliminate lipid [...] Read more.
A robust Folin–Ciocalteu method, coupled with an optimized ultrasonic-assisted extraction, was established for accurate quantification of total polyphenols in high-oil grape seed matrices, where lipid interference and low extraction efficiency have been persistent challenges. Samples were first defatted with n-hexane to eliminate lipid interference. Key colorimetric parameters—Folin–Ciocalteu reagent volume, Na2CO3 concentration, reaction temperature, and time—were systematically optimized and validated for linearity, precision, and recovery. Subsequently, using defatted grape seed powder as the raw material, a four-factor, three-level Box–Behnken design combined with response surface methodology was employed to optimize the four extraction parameters: solid-to-liquid ratio, ethanol concentration, extraction temperature, and extraction time. The optimal conditions were 0.5 mL of Folin–Ciocalteu reagent, 20% Na2CO3, and reaction at 30 °C for 2.0 h, yielding a linear calibration curve (R2 = 0.9991) with satisfactory methodological validation. Optimal extraction (52% ethanol, 1:50 w/v, 68 °C, 21 min) achieved a total polyphenol content of 2.93 × 104 mg·kg−1, closely matching the predicted value (relative error = 0.34%). Analysis of seven grape seed varieties from the Hebei Province revealed significant content variation (p < 0.05), ranging from 3.24 to 7.47 × 104 mg·kg−1, with Rose grape seeds exhibiting the highest level. The developed method effectively overcame matrix interference from high oil content, offering a reliable, efficient tool for screening high-polyphenol grape seed varieties and supporting the development of value-added functional products. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Botanical Extracts: Biological Activities, Nanoformulations and Application)
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Review

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23 pages, 1541 KB  
Review
Plant-Derived Biostimulants and Liposomal Formulations in Sustainable Crop Protection and Stress Tolerance
by Barbara Kutasy-Takács, József Péter Pallos, Márta Kiniczky, Géza Hegedűs and Eszter Virág
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(1), 490; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16010490 - 4 Jan 2026
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1426
Abstract
Plant-derived biostimulants represent an innovative approach to enhancing crop productivity, resilience, and quality within sustainable agricultural systems by improving nutrient uptake, stress tolerance, and plant defense mechanisms while reducing reliance on synthetic inputs. However, their effectiveness is often limited by poor stability and [...] Read more.
Plant-derived biostimulants represent an innovative approach to enhancing crop productivity, resilience, and quality within sustainable agricultural systems by improving nutrient uptake, stress tolerance, and plant defense mechanisms while reducing reliance on synthetic inputs. However, their effectiveness is often limited by poor stability and low bioavailability. Recent advances in nanotechnology, particularly liposomal formulations, address these limitations by enhancing the stability, solubility, and delivery efficiency of bioactive plant compounds. Liposomes facilitate the penetration and systemic transport of active ingredients within plant tissues and enable controlled release at the target site, thereby increasing biostimulant efficacy. This review summarizes current knowledge on plant-derived biostimulants, their classification, nano-formulation, molecular mechanisms, and roles in mitigating abiotic and biotic stress. Special emphasis is placed on liposome-based formulations, including supercritical CO2 extracts and nano-liposomal delivery systems, with examples such as garlic extract and the EliceVakcina® complex. Finally, the potential of liposomal technologies in integrated crop protection and sustainable agriculture is discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Botanical Extracts: Biological Activities, Nanoformulations and Application)
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