Bioactive Compounds: Extraction, Characterization, and Applications
A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Chemical and Molecular Sciences".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2027 | Viewed by 157
Editors
Interests: phytochemistry; secondary metabolites; metabolomics; bioactive compounds; isolation methods; chromatography; mass spectrometry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: bioactive compounds; plant metabolites; extraction optimization; phenolics; antioxidation; chromatography; mass spectrometry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Bioactive compounds from natural sources—phytochemicals, mycochemicals, phycochemicals, and allelochemicals—are attracting significant interest due to their role in health promotion, disease prevention, and industrial applications in the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, nutraceutical, and agricultural sectors. These molecules, including phenolics, flavonoids, carotenoids, glucosinolates, alkaloids, terpenes, essential oils, peptides and others, provide varied beneficial biological activities, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activities, as well as allelopathic effects. As a result, they are valuable targets for isolation and commercial use.
The efficient extraction and characterization of bioactive compounds enable the evaluation of yield, purity, and functional properties. Traditional methods such as maceration and Soxhlet extraction are now complemented by green innovations—ultrasonic, microwave, enzymatic, and supercritical fluid-assisted techniques—that reduce solvent use, demand for energy and the degradation of sensitive compounds. Analytical techniques, including chromatographic separation and spectrometric methods, enable the identification and quantification of extracted compounds, providing accurate profiling that supports effective utilization. Recent advances in extraction methodologies not only enhance process efficiency but also reduce solvent usage and energy consumption, while improving the recovery of sensitive compounds. Characterization plays a crucial role in guiding potential applications in product development and functional formulations, benefitting varied industries, including food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, nutraceuticals, and agriculture.
This Special Issue will present the latest research integrating innovative extraction strategies, analytical characterization, and practical implementation. We will highlight improvements in the reproducibility, extraction performance, and bioactive potential of these compounds, as well as their practical industrial applications such as functional foods, natural preservatives, therapeutic agents, cosmetic ingredients, and sustainable agricultural products.
Thank you for considering submitting a manuscript to this Special Issue.
Sincerely,
Dr. Marijana Popović
Dr. Maja Veršić Bratinčević
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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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
- phytochemicals
- mycochemicals
- phycochemicals
- allelochemicals
- extraction techniques
- characterization methods
- nutraceuticals
- pharmaceuticals
- agrochemicals
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