applsci-logo

Journal Browser

Journal Browser

Novel Developments in Chemical Characterization and Evaluation of Bioactive Compounds

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 September 2025 | Viewed by 307

Special Issue Editor


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
CERNAS-IPV Research Centre, Polytechnic University of Viseu, 3504-510 Viseu, Portugal
Interests: sustainable oxidation processes; catalysis; transformation and structural characterization of organic compounds; innovative products development from plant biomass; extraction of phytochemicals from agroforestry and agroindustrial by-products; value-added products; circular bioeconomy; liquid and gas chromatography; bioactivity; antioxidant; antimicrobial activity
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The exploration of bioactive compounds from natural sources continues to captivate researchers, driven by their remarkable benefits for health and potential applications across diverse fields. These compounds, including polyphenols, terpenoids, alkaloids, steroids, polysaccharides, fatty acids offer antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects, as well as support for metabolic regulation and neurodegenerative disease prevention.

Renewed interest in traditional medicinal plants highlights the untapped potential of natural resources for producing value-added products. However, the complexity and diversity of bioactive compounds pose challenges in their extraction, processing, and evaluation, requiring advanced and innovative methodologies for precise chemical characterization and functional assessment.

This Special Issue focuses on cutting-edge developments in the identification, characterization, and application of bioactive compounds from natural sources. Original research and review articles are invited on topics including, but not limited to advanced extraction, purification, and structural elucidation techniques, as well as analytical methods for assessing chemical and biological properties. Topics also include exploring underutilized plant species and agri-food by-products, and developing novel products for health, cosmetics, agriculture, and beyond.

Dr. Cláudia Neves
Guest Editor

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

  • bioactive compounds
  • natural sources
  • extraction techniques
  • structural elucidation
  • analytical methods
  • value-added products

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (1 paper)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

21 pages, 2769 KiB  
Article
Utilizing Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADESs) for Sustainable Phytonutrient Recovery: Optimization and Multi-Matrix Extraction of Bioactive Compounds
by Ainur Makarova, Ceylin Özten and Bartłomiej Zieniuk
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(9), 4843; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15094843 - 27 Apr 2025
Viewed by 172
Abstract
Bioactive phytochemicals, such as polyphenols, play vital roles in human health, but conventional extraction methods rely on hazardous solvents. This study establishes natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) as versatile and environmentally friendly alternatives for recovering a variety of bioactive compounds from plant materials. [...] Read more.
Bioactive phytochemicals, such as polyphenols, play vital roles in human health, but conventional extraction methods rely on hazardous solvents. This study establishes natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) as versatile and environmentally friendly alternatives for recovering a variety of bioactive compounds from plant materials. Five choline chloride-based NADESs were evaluated for their effectiveness in extracting betalains (from beetroot), carotenoids (from carrot and sweet potato), anthocyanins (from chokeberry pomace and red onion), and polyphenols (from Lonicera japonica flowers, hop cones, rowan berries, and spent coffee grounds). Notably, NADES2 outperformed water in betalain recovery (179.86 mg of betanin/100 g of beetroot), while NADES4 (choline chloride-urea, 1:2 molar ratio) matched the polyphenol extraction efficiency of ethanol. Using L. japonica flowers as a model for optimization, Response Surface Methodology (RSM) identified the solvent ratio and temperature as critical extraction parameters, using high ratios (12:1–15:1 v/w) and moderate heat (55–75 °C) to maximize recovery. NADES4 emerged as a high-performing solvent, achieving a total phenolic content (TPC) of 75.94 mg chlorogenic acid/g and antioxidant activity of 451.00 µmol Trolox/g under the following conditions: 60% aqueous dilution, 15:1 solvent ratio, and 80 °C, 30 min. These findings highlight NADESs as a green, tunable solvent system for phytochemical extraction across plant species, offering enhanced efficiency, reduced environmental impact, and alignment with sustainable practices. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop