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Advances in Natural Products: Extraction, Bioactivity, Biotransformation, and Applications

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2025 | Viewed by 97

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, Pierottijeva 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: food science and technology; food processing; food chemistry; food processing and engineering

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, Pierottijeva 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: food science and technology; food processing; food chemistry; food processing and engineering; biotechnology

Special Issue Information

Dear Coleagues,

Natural products, derived from a wide variety of biological sources including higher plants, algae, and microorganisms, have gained significant attention due to their structural diversity and promising bioactivities. These compounds play a crucial role in the development of novel pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and functional foods.

This Special Issue aims to highlight the latest advancements in the extraction, characterization, and valorization of natural products from medicinal and aromatic plants, edible and non-edible herbs, underutilized or discarded plant biomass, seaweeds, microalgae and microorganisms. We welcome original research and review articles that explore innovative and green extraction technologies, comprehensive phytochemical profiling, and structure–activity relationships.

Additionally, special attention will be given to studies investigating the biological activities (e.g., antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, neuroprotective) of natural products, as well as those exploring biotransformation approaches to enhance their functionality, bioavailability, or stability. Manuscripts addressing the application of natural products in food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, or agricultural formulations are also highly encouraged.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Innovative extraction methods (e.g., ultrasound-assisted, supercritical fluid, deep eutectic solvents).
  • Identification and quantification of bioactive compounds.
  • Bioactivity screening and mechanistic insights.
  • Biotechnological and enzymatic biotransformations.
  • Functional formulation and product development.

We look forward to your valuable contributions to this Special Issue, which aims to highlight the growing potential of natural products in science and industry.

Dr. Ena Cegledi
Dr. Ana Dobrinčić
Dr. Antonios E. Koutelidakis
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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

  • plant extracts
  • algae extracs
  • microorganisms
  • underutilized biomass
  • bioactive compounds
  • green extraction
  • biotransformation
  • phytochemical profiling
  • functional food

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

15 pages, 966 KiB  
Article
Isolation of a Novel Bioactive Fraction from Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) Leaf Waste: Optimized Extraction and Evaluation of Its Promising Antiproliferative and Chemoprotective Effects as a Plant-Based Antitumor Agent
by Raúl Sánchez-Vioque, Julio Girón-Calle, Manuel Alaiz, Javier Vioque-Peña, Adela Mena-Morales, Esteban García-Romero, Lourdes Marchante-Cuevas and Gonzalo Ortiz de Elguea-Culebras
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(13), 7376; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15137376 - 30 Jun 2025
Abstract
Saffron spice is obtained from the flower’s stigmas through a labor-intensive process. However, other organs (particularly the leaves and tepals) are often regarded as waste. To investigate the health benefits of saffron leaf by-products, an optimized methodology was developed to obtain a phenol-enriched [...] Read more.
Saffron spice is obtained from the flower’s stigmas through a labor-intensive process. However, other organs (particularly the leaves and tepals) are often regarded as waste. To investigate the health benefits of saffron leaf by-products, an optimized methodology was developed to obtain a phenol-enriched fraction. The main components of this fraction were identified by HPLC-DAD/ESI-MS and the antiproliferative and metal-chelating effects on colon cancer cells (Caco-2) and Fe2+ and Cu2+ ions, respectively, were evaluated. The process involved the extraction of saffron leaves with a 70% hydroalcoholic solution, followed by purification using liquid chromatography. Chemical characterization revealed the presence of several phenolic compounds, including flavonoids (kaempferol, luteolin and quercetin glycosides) as major constituents; whereas, in vitro assays revealed a strong dose-dependent inhibition of cell proliferation. Likewise, the sample exhibited significant iron- and copper-chelating activity, suggesting its potential as a natural chelator to help mitigate the carcinogenic effects of metal accumulation in humans. In summary, this study underscores the potential of the saffron leaf fraction as a promising natural and complementary chemoprotective agent in colorectal cancer. Additionally, these results underscore the value of agricultural by-products, supporting a circular bioeconomy by reducing environmental impact and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources. Full article
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