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Biological Activity, Chemical Characterization and Contaminants of Plants and Waste: 2nd Edition

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 December 2025 | Viewed by 2629

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Tiane Finimundy

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centro de Investigação de Montanha (CIMO), Laboratório Associado para a Sustentabilidade e Tecnologia em Regiões de Montanha (SusTEC), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal
Interests: characterization chemical; bioactivities; toxicology; natural products; proteomics; biotechnoology; foods
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Marta Mesías

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Characterization, Quality and Safety Department, Institute of Food Science, Technology and Nutrition, ICTAN-CSIC, José Antonio Novais 6, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Interests: food science; Maillard reaction; food safety; thermal food processing; chemical contaminants
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue welcomes scientific contributions, including research papers, short communications, and review articles, that focus on recent advances related to the chemical features of compounds that are naturally derived from plants and waste materials. The scope of this Special Issue includes topics such as the extraction, separation, and isolation of these compounds, as well as their biological activities and associated health benefits. We encourage authors to explore the potential applications of these compounds in various fields, including medicine, agriculture, and environmental science, and to highlight sustainable and eco-friendly approaches. We invite researchers to contribute their latest findings and insights into this important and growing field of study.

  • Plants and waste materials are abundant sources of bioactive compounds that have been used for centuries due to their medicinal properties. With the advancement of scientific techniques, researchers can now identify and isolate these compounds with greater accuracy and efficiency.
  • The chemical characterization of these compounds can provide valuable information about their structure, properties, and potential uses. This includes studies on their molecular weight, polarity, and spectroscopic properties, among others.
  • Recent research has highlighted the potential health benefits of naturally derived compounds, including their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. Some of these compounds have shown promise in the treatment of certain diseases, including cancer, Alzheimer's, and diabetes.
  • The sustainable use of plants and waste materials as sources of bioactive compounds is an important area of research. By identifying and utilizing these resources, researchers can reduce reliance on synthetic chemicals and promote a more eco-friendly approach to medicine and agriculture.

In summary, this Special Issue provides an opportunity for researchers to share their latest findings regarding the biological activity and chemical characterization of plants and waste materials. We encourage contributions that highlight innovative approaches to sustainable and eco-friendly research, as well as studies that demonstrate the potential applications of naturally derived compounds in various fields.

Dr. Tiane Finimundy
Dr. Marta Mesías
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

  • biological activity
  • chemical contaminants
  • chemical characterization
  • plants
  • waste
  • subproducts

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 269 KB  
Article
Impacts of Conventional and Agri-Food Waste-Derived Fertilizers on Durum Wheat Yield, Grain Quality, and Soil Health: A Two-Year Field Study in Greece and Southern Italy
by Adele Muscolo, Kostantinos Zoukidis, Evangelous Vergos, Federica Alessia Marra, Ludovica Santoro, Mariateresa Oliva, Santo Battaglia, Angela Maffia and Carmelo Mallamaci
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(18), 10292; https://doi.org/10.3390/app151810292 - 22 Sep 2025
Abstract
Sustainable fertilization strategies are critical under climate change and the European Green Deal, particularly for Mediterranean cereal systems. Organic fertilizers derived from agro-industrial residues offer promising alternatives to conventional mineral inputs. This study evaluated RecOrgFert, a novel fertilizer composed of sulfur–bentonite and citrus-processing [...] Read more.
Sustainable fertilization strategies are critical under climate change and the European Green Deal, particularly for Mediterranean cereal systems. Organic fertilizers derived from agro-industrial residues offer promising alternatives to conventional mineral inputs. This study evaluated RecOrgFert, a novel fertilizer composed of sulfur–bentonite and citrus-processing residues, in comparison with NPK (15-15-15) and horse manure across two years in Central Macedonia (Greece) and Apulia (Italy). Using a randomized complete block design, soil chemical and biological properties, plant growth, yield, and grain quality were assessed. RecOrgFert outperformed conventional fertilizers by enhancing soil fertility—raising organic matter 25–27% above control and further increasing it from 2023 to 2024 (up to +75% in Italy, +38% in Greece)—while improving cation exchange capacity, enzymatic activity, and soil water content. Wheat grown with RecOrgFert showed higher protein (up to 15.2%), antioxidant activity (DPPH > 37%, ABTS+ > 26%), and phenolic and flavonoid content, with yields comparable to NPK. The unique sulfur and orange-residue composition distinguish RecOrgFert from standard fertilizers, promoting nutrient cycling, microbial activity, and bioactive compound accumulation. It represents a novel, circular, and climate-smart solution aligned with EU sustainability and circular economy objectives. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Activity, Chemical Characterization and Contaminants of Plants and Waste: 2nd Edition)
23 pages, 3649 KB  
Article
Circular Fertilization Strategy Using Sulphur with Orange Waste Enhances Soil Health and Broccoli Nutritional and Nutraceutical Quality in Mediterranean Systems
by Mariateresa Oliva, Federica Marra, Ludovica Santoro, Santo Battaglia, Carmelo Mallamaci and Adele Muscolo
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(16), 9010; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15169010 - 15 Aug 2025
Viewed by 330
Abstract
Fertilization strategies are pivotal in sustainable agriculture, affecting both soil health and crop quality. This study investigated the impact of a circular fertilization approach based on agro-industrial residues—specifically, a blend of sulfur bentonite and orange processing waste (RecOrgFert PLUS)—on soil physicochemical and biological [...] Read more.
Fertilization strategies are pivotal in sustainable agriculture, affecting both soil health and crop quality. This study investigated the impact of a circular fertilization approach based on agro-industrial residues—specifically, a blend of sulfur bentonite and orange processing waste (RecOrgFert PLUS)—on soil physicochemical and biological properties, as well as the nutritional and nutraceutical quality of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) grown in Mediterranean conditions (Condofuri, Southern Italy). The effects of RecOrgFert PLUS were compared with those of a synthetic NPK fertilizer, an organic fertilizer (horse manure), and an unfertilized control. Results demonstrated that RecOrgFert PLUS significantly improved soil organic carbon (3.37%), microbial biomass carbon (791 μg C g−1), and key enzymatic activities, indicating enhanced soil biological functioning. Broccoli cultivated under RecOrgFert PLUS also exhibited the highest concentrations of health-promoting compounds, including total phenols (48.87 mg GAE g−1), vitamin C (51.93 mg ASA 100 g−1), and total proteins (82.45 mg BSA g−1). This work provides novel evidence that combining elemental sulphur with orange processing waste not only restores soil fertility but also boosts the nutraceutical and nutritional value of food crops. Unlike previous studies focusing on soil or plant yield alone, this study uniquely integrates soil health indicators with bioactive compound accumulation in broccoli, highlighting the potential of circular bio-based fertilization in functional food production and Mediterranean agroecosystem sustainability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Activity, Chemical Characterization and Contaminants of Plants and Waste: 2nd Edition)
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15 pages, 421 KB  
Article
Antioxidant and Antiglycation Properties of Carob Flour Extracts: Evaluating Their Potential as a Functional Ingredient in Health-Oriented Foods and Supplements
by Marta Mesías, Francisca Holgado and Francisco J. Morales
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(12), 6556; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15126556 - 11 Jun 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 609
Abstract
Glycation in biological systems contributes to the development of chronic diseases, particularly under conditions of hyperglycemia and oxidative stress. This study evaluated the antiglycation and methylglyoxal (MGO)-trapping capacities of aqueous and methanolic extracts of carob flour. The methanolic extract exhibited significantly higher bioactive [...] Read more.
Glycation in biological systems contributes to the development of chronic diseases, particularly under conditions of hyperglycemia and oxidative stress. This study evaluated the antiglycation and methylglyoxal (MGO)-trapping capacities of aqueous and methanolic extracts of carob flour. The methanolic extract exhibited significantly higher bioactive compounds, containing 1.4-fold more total phenolics and 1.6-fold more flavonoids than the aqueous extract, as well as 1.2- and 1.8-fold-higher antioxidant activity. Antiglycation activity was assessed using bovine serum albumin (BSA)–glucose and BSA–MGO in vitro models, where the methanolic extract consistently outperformed the aqueous extract. At 25 mg/mL, the formation of advanced glycation end-products was inhibited by 81.0% in the BSA–glucose model and nearly 70% in the BSA–MGO model. These findings were supported by lower IC50 values for the methanolic extract (6.6 vs. 10.8 mg/mL and 9.4 vs. 16.6 mg/mL). MGO-trapping capacity was also higher for the methanolic extract, reaching 97% with 25 mg/mL after 168 h. The superior antiglycation and MGO-trapping activities of the methanolic extract are attributed to its higher content of gallic acid and other phenolic compounds with known bioactivities. These results highlight the potential of carob-based formulations as functional ingredients with preventive applications against glycation-associated pathologies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Activity, Chemical Characterization and Contaminants of Plants and Waste: 2nd Edition)
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32 pages, 3212 KB  
Article
Evaluating the Antifungal Activity of Volatilized Essential Oils on Fungi Contaminating Artifacts from a Museum Collection
by Luís Fernandes, Diana Sofia Paiva, Emília Pereira, Ana Cristina Rufino, Euclides Landim, Mário Pedro Marques, Célia Cabral, António Portugal and Nuno Mesquita
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(5), 2378; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15052378 - 23 Feb 2025
Viewed by 1154
Abstract
As is the case for all forms of cultural heritage, museum collections are under a serious threat of biodeterioration, with fungi playing a significant role in this phenomenon, compromising the preservation and dissemination of past knowledge, artifacts and traditions. As part of the [...] Read more.
As is the case for all forms of cultural heritage, museum collections are under a serious threat of biodeterioration, with fungi playing a significant role in this phenomenon, compromising the preservation and dissemination of past knowledge, artifacts and traditions. As part of the ongoing efforts to study the fungal contaminations observed in the artifacts that compose the collection of the Science Museum of the University of Coimbra, non-invasive sampling of four objects present in the archive was conducted and 43 fungal isolates were retrieved. These isolates were subjected to a comprehensive analysis based on molecular and morphological characteristics and were identified as belonging to 15 different species. Of the 15 isolated species, 5 were selected for in vitro antifungal essential oil assays, based on their relative abundance and biodeteriorative potential. For these, essential oils of Cymbopogon citratus, Lavandula angustifolia, Thapsia gummifera, Mentha pulegium, Mentha suaveolens, Thapsia villosa, Thymus mastichina and Agastache foeniculum were obtained via hydrodistillation, in accordance with the European Pharmacopeia. Of the tested oils, most impacted fungal growth, with Cymbopogon citratus and Lavandula angustifolia being able to fully inhibit the growth of most fungi even at the lowest tested concentrations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Activity, Chemical Characterization and Contaminants of Plants and Waste: 2nd Edition)
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