Announcements
25 March 2026
Acknowledging the Contributions of Our Reviewers in 2025
6 March 2026
Beverages Webinar | Probiotic and Functional Beverages: Potential Implications for Health, 20 March 2026
Message from the Chairs:
Are you interested in how probiotic and functional beverages can contribute to human health? If so, join us for the upcoming webinar, “Probiotic and Functional Beverages: Potential Implications for Health”. This event is intended for food scientists, nutritionists, researchers, product developers, and industry professionals within the food and beverage industry, as well as for anyone interested in exploring the latest scientific advances behind health-promoting fermented and functional drinks.
This webinar will present current research on the development and application of probiotic and functional beverages as effective carriers of beneficial microorganisms and bioactive compounds. Topics will include the role of probiotic beverages in cognitive health through the gut–brain axis, the development of functional fermented dairy drinks using novel microbial strains, and the health effects of biofunctional fermented products on metabolic and oxidative stress markers.
This webinar offers a valuable opportunity to gain insights from recent scientific evidence and innovative case studies highlighting how fermented and functional beverages may support cognitive, metabolic, and overall health. Join us to explore emerging perspectives and future directions in the rapidly evolving field of probiotic and functional beverage research.
Date: Friday, 20 March 2026
Time: 14:00–15:30 CET
Webinar ID: 823 9425 3217
Webinar Secretariat: journal.webinar@mdpi.com
Webinar announcement: https://sciforum.net/event/Beverages-1?subscribe
Register now for free!
|
Speaker/Presentation |
Time in CET |
|
Dr. Panagiotis Kandylis and Dr. Dimitra Dimitrellou |
2:00–2:10 p.m. |
|
Dr. Antonio Bevilacqua |
2:10–2:30 p.m. |
|
Dr. Ioanna Prapa |
2:30–2:45 p.m. |
|
Dr. Olga I. Papagianni |
2:45–3:05 p.m. |
|
Q&A Session |
3:05–3:20 p.m. |
|
Dr. Panagiotis Kandylis and Dr. Dimitra Dimitrellou |
3:20–3:30 p.m. |
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information on how to join the webinar. Registrations with academic or institutional email addresses will be prioritized.
Unable to attend? Feel free to still register; we will inform you when the recording is available.
Webinar Chairs and Keynote Speakers:
- Dr. Panagiotis Kandylis, Department of Food Science and Technology, Ionian University, Argostoli, Greece;
- Dr. Dimitra Dimitrellou, Department of Food Science and Technology, Ionian University, Argostoli, Greece;
- Dr. Antonio Bevilacqua, Department of Agriculture, Food, Natural Resources and Engineering, University of Foggia, Italy;
- Dr. Ioanna Prapa, Laboratory of Applied Microbiology & Biotechnology, Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece;
- Dr. Olga I. Papagianni, Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of the Aegean, Greece.
Relevant Special Issue:
“Probiotics Empowering the Future of Beverages”
Guest Editors: Dr. Panagiotis Kandylis and Dr. Dimitra Dimitrellou
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 October 2026
6 March 2026
Beverages | Editorial Board Members’ Perspectives in 2025 (II)
As all of the articles published in our journal are open access, you have free and unlimited access to the full texts. We welcome you to read our Editorial Board Members’ papers published in 2025, which are listed below:
1. “3.0 Strategies for Yeast Genetic Improvement in Brewing and Winemaking”
by Chiara Nasuti, Lisa Solieri and Kristoffer Krogerus
Beverages 2025, 11(4), 100; https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages11040100
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5710/11/4/100
2. “Sea Grape (Caulerpa racemosa) Kombucha: A Comprehensive Study of Metagenomic and Metabolomic Profiling, Its Molecular Mechanism of Action as an Antioxidative Agent, and the Impact of Fermentation Time”
by Dian Aruni Kumalawati, Reza Sukma Dewi, Noor Rezky Fitriani, Scheirana Zahira Muchtar, Juan Leonardo, Nurpudji Astuti Taslim, Raffaele Romano, Antonello Santini and Fahrul Nurkolis
Beverages 2025, 11(5), 134; https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages11050134
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5710/11/5/134
3. “Optimization of Grist Composition for Mash Production from Unmalted Wheat and Wheat Malt of Red Winter Wheat with Hybrid Endosperm Type”
by Kristina Habschied, Iztok Jože Košir, Miha Ocvirk, Krešimir Mastanjević and Vinko Krstanović
Beverages 2025, 11(4), 110; https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages11040110
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5710/11/4/110
4. “Effects of Enzymatic Hydrolysis Combined with Ultrasonic Treatment on the Properties of an Apple Juice Enriched with Apple Bagasse”
by Alina Manthei, Pedro Elez-Martínez, Olga Martín-Belloso and Robert Soliva-Fortuny
Beverages 2025, 11(5), 133; https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages11050133
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5710/11/5/133
5. “Functional Non-Alcoholic Beer Fermented with Potential Probiotic Yeasts”
by Peter Vaštík, Ján Brunner, Rudolf Jung, Tatiana Klempová, Katarína Furdíková, Daniela Šmogrovičová and Pavel Dostálek
Beverages 2025, 11(5), 140; https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages11050140
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5710/11/5/140
6. “Exploring Visualization of Beverage Consistency Through 2D and 3D Imaging Methods”
by Jane Mertz Garcia, Edgar Chambers IV, Madison Ukele, Abby Brey Althauser and David Rehfeld
Beverages 2025, 11(5), 141; https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages11050141
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5710/11/5/141
7. “The Impact of Brewing Methods on the Quality of a Cup of Coffee”
by Alessandro Genovese, Nicola Caporaso and Antonietta Baiano
Beverages 2025, 11(5), 125; https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages11050125
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5710/11/5/125
8. “Fermented Beverages from Amazonian Fruits: Nutritional Characteristics and Bioactive Compounds”
by Bárbara N. Batista, Ana Cristina Correia, António M. Jordão and Patrícia M. Albuquerque
Beverages 2025, 11(5), 152; https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages11050152
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5710/11/5/152
9. “Chitosan Hydrochloride Applied as a Grapevine Biostimulant Modulates Sauvignon Blanc Vines’ Growth, Grape, and Wine Composition”
by Matteo Marangon, Alessandro Botton, Franco Meggio, Anna Lante, Federica Tinello, Alberto De Iseppi, Christine Mayr Marangon, Simone Vincenzi and Andrea Curioni
Beverages 2025, 11(6), 168; https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages11060168
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5710/11/6/168
by Petko Denev, Daniela Pencheva, Desislava Teneva, Manol Ognyanov and Zornica Todorova
Beverages 2025, 11(6), 176; https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages11060176
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5710/11/6/176
6 March 2026
Beverages | Editorial Board Members’ Perspectives in 2025 (I)
As all of the articles published in our journal are open access, you have free and unlimited access to the full texts. We welcome you to read our Editorial Board Members’ papers published in 2025, which are listed below:
1. “Sustainable Wine Fining: Evaluating Grape Pomace as a Natural Alternative to Commercial Agents”
by Evangelos Kokkinomagoulos and Panagiotis Kandylis
Beverages 2025, 11(2), 31; https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages11020031
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5710/11/2/31
2. “The Gut–Brain Axis and Probiotics in Beverages and Liquid Preparations: A PRISMA Systematic Review on Cognitive Function Enhancement”
by Alfonso Filippone, Umberto Barbieri, Maria Rosaria Corbo, Milena Sinigaglia and Antonio Bevilacqua
Beverages 2025, 11(3), 85; https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages11030085
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5710/11/3/85
3. “Volatile Compounds as Markers of Terroir and Winemaking Practices in Fetească Albă Wines of Romania”
by Ioana-Cristina Bredeag (Rebigan), Ionel-Bogdan Cioroiu, Marius Niculaua, Constantin-Bogdan Nechita and Valeriu V. Cotea
Beverages 2025, 11(3), 67; https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages11030067
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5710/11/3/67
4. “Caffeine and Polyphenolic Compound Recovery Optimization from Spent Coffee Grounds Utilizing Pressurized Liquid Extraction”
by Athanasios Christoforidis, Martha Mantiniotou, Vassilis Athanasiadis and Stavros I. Lalas
Beverages 2025, 11(3), 74; https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages11030074
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5710/11/3/74
5. “Unveiling the Regional Identity of Madeira Wine: Insights from Saccharomyces cerevisiae Strains Using Interdelta Analysis”
by Mariangie M. Castillo, Nikol Parra, José S. Câmara and Mahnaz Khadem
Beverages 2025, 11(3), 84; https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages11030084
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5710/11/3/84
6. “Polyphenolic, Anthocyanin, and Volatile Profile of Barrel-Aged Industrial Red Wines Made from Vitis vinifera Cv Maratheftiko”
by Kosmas Roufas, Theodoros Chatzimitakos, Vassilis Athanasiadis, Stavros I. Lalas, Artemis Toulaki and Dimitris P. Makris
Beverages 2025, 11(2), 36; https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages11020036
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5710/11/2/36
7. “Physicochemical Properties of Traditionally Produced Mead”
by Kristina Habschied, Blanka Bilić Rajs, Lorena Dozan, Vinko Krstanović and Krešimir Mastanjević
Beverages 2025, 11(3), 61; https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages1103006
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5710/11/3/61
8. “Astringency Modification of Mandilaria Wines: Vineyard and Winery Strategies”
by Christina Karadimou, Theodoros Gkrimpizis, Eleni Louki, Lamprini Roussi, Nikolaos Theodorou, Stefanos Koundouras and Stamatina Kallithraka
Beverages 2025, 11(3), 76; https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages11030076
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5710/11/3/76
9. “Varietal Authentication of Brunello di Montalcino Wine Using a Minimal Panel of DNA Markers”
by Maxwell K. Kibor, Monica Scali and Rita Vignani
Beverages 2025, 11(3), 81; https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages11030081
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5710/11/3/81
by Rosa Perestrelo
Beverages 2025, 11(2), 30; https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages11020030
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5710/11/2/30
4 March 2026
MDPI’s 2025 Best Paper Awards—Award-Winning Papers Announced
28 February 2026
MDPI INSIGHTS: The CEO’s Letter #32 - MDPI China and Thailand, China Science Daily, 1,000 Partnerships, R2R
Welcome to the MDPI Insights: The CEO's Letter.
In these monthly letters, I will showcase two key aspects of our work at MDPI: our commitment to empowering researchers and our determination to facilitating open scientific exchange.
Opening Thoughts
Reflections from China: Year-End-Celebrations and Open Access Publishing
In February, I had the pleasure of joining over a thousand colleagues from our Tongzhou and Haidian offices at their end-of-year annual celebration in Beijing.
Spending time with our teams in China is also a powerful reminder of the scale and complexity of MDPI as a global organization. Our colleagues in Beijing, Wuhan, and across the country play a significant role in our day-to-day operations and long-term development. I’m grateful for the hospitality, collaboration, and commitment shown by our managers and teams in China, alongside colleagues worldwide, who have helped steadily build MDPI, brick by brick, over the years.
Below are some data on Open Access (OA) publishing in China and our collaboration in this important research market.
Open Access Publishing in China
China has been the world’s leading country in research and review article publication volume since 2019, exceeding one million publications in 2025. Over the past five years, the gap between China and the second-ranked country, the United States, has continued to widen.
In 2025:
- 47% of China’s research output was published Open Access
- Of those OA publications, 76% were Gold Open Access (approximately 382,930 articles)
- The overall OA distribution remained stable compared with 2024, with Gold OA increasing by 1%
Over the past five years (2021–2025):
- China published 4,398,050 research and review articles
- Approximately 48% of this output was OA
According to Dimensions, when comparing the top 20 countries by publication volume (2021–2025):
- China ranks 1st worldwide in publication volume
- China ranks 9th in citation performance within this group (for comparison, the US ranks 2nd in publication volume and 10th in citation ranking)
- Average citations per article: 12.51
Among the top 10 universities globally by publication volume, six are Chinese institutions, alongside Harvard University (USA), the University of São Paulo (Brazil), the University of Toronto (Canada), and the University of Oxford (UK).
MDPI and China
China is an important and long-standing part of MDPI’s global publishing ecosystem:
- In 2025, MDPI was the largest fully Open Access publisher in China
- MDPI published 22% of China’s Gold Open Access output (82,133 papers)
- We received 290,999 submissions from China-affiliated authors and published 82,133 articles
- There are 8,500+ active Editorial Board Members based in China
- 64% (5,438) have an H-index above 26
- MDPI works with:
- 117 Editors-in-Chief
- 103 Section Editors-in-Chief
- 71 China-based institutions currently hold IOAP agreements with MDPI, seven of which rank among the top 10 Chinese institutions by publication volume
China's scale in research output means that the publishing platforms chosen by Chinese scholars will continue to influence the direction of scholarly publishing. At the same time, MDPI’s strength comes from its international collaboration, with colleagues, editors, reviewers, and authors working together across regions and disciplines.
Thank you to all our colleagues in China, and around the world, who support MDPI’s publishing activities across departments and help advance open access research every day.
Impactful Research
“Progress in open science is built through trust, dialogue, and relationships”
Behind the Scenes: A Conversation with China Science Daily
During my trip to Beijing, I also had the opportunity to visit China Science Daily and take part in an interview and broader exchange with their team in Beijing. Visits like this matter because progress in open science is built not only through platforms and infrastructure, but also through trust, dialogue, and relationships across research communities and regions.
China Science Daily: History Museum
As part of the visit, I was given a tour of their History Museum, which offers a thorough perspective on the evolution of China’s first science and technology newspaper, established in 1959. The exhibition highlights how the organization developed into a trusted institution connecting research with the public and policymakers. It was a helpful reminder that at the core of publishing is stewardship, credibility, and long-term public engagement with science.
An Open Exchange on Open Science
During the visit, I met with Dr. Zhao Yan, Editor-in-Chief of ScienceNet. We had an open and engaging conversation about MDPI’s role in Open Access, the evolution of open science globally, and the potential for more collaboration going forward. He especially appreciated the candid and personal nature of our exchange, noting that this kind of dialogue feels important in a landscape where trust and transparency matter.
Interview on Open Access
I also participated in an interview with Ms. Yan Jie, from the Online Media Center and Editor-in-Chief of ScienceNet, China Science Daily. Our discussion covered the growth of Open Access over the past 30 years, MDPI’s mission and values, academic integrity, collaboration with the Chinese research community, and MDPI’s own 30th anniversary milestone. It was a great opportunity to reflect on how open science has matured, and where shared responsibility across publishers, institutions, and researchers continues to matter most.
“Progress in open science is built by more than scale and infrastructure”
I’m sharing a few photos from the visit as a glimpse behind the scenes. The full interview will be published by China Science Daily in due course, and I look forward to sharing it when it is available.
More broadly, visits like this reinforce something I’ve always believed in: progress in open science is built not only through scale and infrastructure, but also through continued dialogue, mutual respect, collaboration, and a willingness to listen across regions and perspectives. That remains central to our work, especially as MDPI reflects on 30 years of publishing, built together.
Inside MDPI
Bangkok Visit: Growth, Partnership, and Local Impact
In February, I also had the opportunity to visit our Bangkok office for the second time in two years to support their local meetings and deliver a training session on how we present MDPI at a corporate level.
It’s easy to spend time with our colleagues in Thailand. From Editorial and Production to Conferences, Marketing, Design, and our Regional Journal Relations Specialist (RJRS), the team continues to grow in scale and professionalism. I’d also like to recognize our local management and admin teams, who have been steadily expanding our office and supporting more than 500 colleagues on the ground.
Academic Partnerships
During the visit, we met with the Engineering Department at King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL). Our discussion focused on the recent MDPI developments, Institutional Open Access Program (IOAP) opportunities, Author Publishing Workshops (APW), and the potential use of JAMS to support their institutional journal.
“MDPI is the third-largest OA publisher in Thailand”
We also shared insights into the growth of Open Access (OA) in Thailand and KMITL’s own publishing trends. These conversations matter because institutions are looking for sustainable ways to support their researchers. Our IOAP agreements are one simple example of how we can provide value in this area while maintaining accessibility for authors.
Thailand and MDPI: 2025 Snapshot
Our Bangkok office, officially launched in 2022, has been growing to support over 500 staff members while continuing to expand its engagement in scholar visits, workshops, and conference collaborations. As at 2025, Thailand submissions to MDPI have increased about 21% and publications by about 25%, maintaining a rejection rate close to the company average. MDPI is the third-largest OA publisher in Thailand, publishing 15% of all Gold OA output in 2025.
Representing MDPI Externally
During the visit, I delivered a training session on how we present MDPI at external events.
This session covered topics related to:
- Our aim and guiding principles
- High-level company milestones and Indexing facts and figures
- Industry partnerships and collaborations
- Market trends in OA and subscription publishing
- Country-specific publishing data and collaborations with MDPI
- Insights from our Voice of Community report
I find that while many colleagues are very familiar with the specific journal for which they have responsibility, fewer have visibility into the broader MDPI ecosystem and the company’s global positioning. These sessions help build alignment, confidence, and consistency in how we represent the company.
What stands out most is that MDPI’s growth is not abstract: it’s visible in the people, the partnerships, and the professionalism developing across our offices.
Coming Together for Science
1,000 Institutional Partners: A Milestone Built on Trust
This month, we reached an important milestone: more than 1,000 institutions worldwide are now part of MDPI’s Institutional Open Access Program (IOAP). On paper, that is a number. In practice, it represents trust.
This milestone symbolizes thousands of conversations with libraries and institutions. It stands for negotiations, renewals, consortium expansions, and, most importantly, relationships built over time. It reflects the work of colleagues across publishing, institutional partnerships, marketing, editorial, finance, and many other teams who contribute to making these agreements operational.
In 2025 alone, more than 61,300 research articles benefited from article processing charge (APC) discounts through IOAP agreements. Tens of thousands of authors were able to publish through a simplified and structured process. At the same time, institutional administrators gained clearer oversight and streamlined workflows.
Why IOAP Matters
When we launched IOAP, the objective was straightforward: to reduce barriers for researchers while supporting institutions in navigating the evolving OA landscape. Over the past decade, the research ecosystem has changed. Funder mandates, national policies, and Plan S–aligned requirements have accelerated the transition to OA.
Institutions need publishing partners who provide transparency, scalability, and operational efficiency. IOAP was designed to support that reality.
For colleagues who would like to better understand the program, this blog-post overview of MDPI’s IOAP provides additional context, including common questions around the transition to OA and how our institutional partnerships are structured.
“Institutions need publishing partners who provide transparency, scalability, and operational efficiency”
Recent Examples
Our agreements continue to evolve across regions:
- In Sweden, MDPI signed a national Open Access publishing agreement with 96 institutions, enabling affiliated researchers to publish without managing individual APC payments.
- In Spain, we extended our flat-fee agreement with Universidad Católica de Valencia, reinforcing institutional support for OA publishing.
These examples show that institutions seek structured, predictable models that support their researchers at scale.
Looking Ahead
Crossing the threshold of 1,000 partners tells us that institutions see MDPI not just as a publisher but as a reliable operational partner in advancing open science. This milestone is not a finish line. It is a reminder that the work continues.
Thank you to the entire IOAP team and to all colleagues who contributed to reaching this achievement.
P.S. You can read about this milestone across industry outlets, including STM Publishing News, ALPSP, Research Information, EurekAlert, Brightsurf, among others. You can also read about the coverage in Poland (e.g., media-room, bomega) Korea (newstap), and Romania (EduLike).
Closing Thoughts
Reflections from the Researcher to Reader Conference
During 24–25 February, I attended the 2026 Researcher to Reader Conference in London, UK. Leaders from across scholarly publishing, research infrastructure, libraries, and technology gathered to discuss AI and research integrity, peer review reform, metadata and infrastructure, community engagement, open research policy, and the evolving role of publishers in a rapidly shifting ecosystem.
The conversations were open and honest, and at times uncomfortable – exactly what we need at times. Below are a few reflections that stayed with me.
The Battle for Knowledge: What Becomes Accepted as ‘True’?
One recurring theme was not whether science evolves but whether our infrastructure is resilient enough to sustain trust at scale. Science does not promise certainty: it promises process. As publishing systems grow more complex and become more technologically mediated, the question is how intentionally we design, monitor, and strengthen that process.
Peer Review: Speed, Credentials, and Structural Loops
Researchers consistently call for faster peer review. At the same time, reviewer credentials are often tied to publication records. This creates a structural loop. Publishing history opens reviewing opportunities, reviewing strengthens credentials, and those without early access remain outside the cycle.
There is a need for us to reflect on how opportunity circulates within our systems: we should ask how we create more inclusive pathways for researchers globally to participate in peer review.
Community Engagement Workshop
One of the highlights of R2R was the workshop format, whereby small groups met repeatedly over two days and moved from ideas to tangible strategies.
I joined the Community Engagement workshop led by Lou Peck (CEO at The International Bunch) and Godwyns Onwuchekwa (Principal Consultant at Global Tapestry Consulting). We explored two deceptively simple questions: What is a community? and What does engagement truly mean?
“Engagement requires shared design and shared responsibility”
Too often, organizations equate communication with engagement. The framework discussed mapped a maturity spectrum – from enablement (broadcasting, informing and consulting) to true engagement (collaborating and co-creating).
It was a useful reminder of the fact that if we want trust and loyalty, engagement must go beyond announcements and surveys. It requires shared design and shared responsibility.
AI: Democratization or Digital Colonialism?
I especially enjoyed the thought-provoking presentation from Nikesh Gosalia (Chief Partnership Officer at Cactus Communications), which highlighted an uncomfortable reality:
- 93% of AI-generated content is in English
- Approximately 2% is in French
- Approximately 2% is in German
- More than 7,000 languages are represented in less than 5% of the content within large AI systems
The implications are profound. Is AI democratizing access to scholarly publishing (making it easier for researchers everywhere to participate in global knowledge production)? Or are we encoding colonialism at scale (entrenching linguistic and structural hierarchies, and making it harder for voices from the Global South to be heard)?
AI is already reshaping how research is created, reviewed, discovered, and shared. Its potential is enormous. But its impact depends not only on capability, but on governance, design, and intentionality. Publishers, funders, and researchers all share responsibility in shaping how these systems evolve.
Ethicality in practice (Lightening Talk)
It was also great to have our colleague Dr Miloš Čučulović (Head of Technology Innovation at MDPI) present MDPI’s Ethicality platform during a lightning talk.
“Technology alone is not the answer”
Ethicality embeds AI-driven checks directly into the submission workflow, supporting editors proactively rather than reacting after publication. As we scale, tools like this help balance trust, efficiency, and research integrity.
This goes back into the underlying theme of the conference that technology alone is not the answer. However, technology embedded thoughtfully within clear governance frameworks can strengthen confidence in the editorial process.
Final thought
The question is no longer whether technology will transform research infrastructure: it is already doing so. The real question is what role each of us will play in shaping that transformation deliberately, with structural maturity, inclusive governance, and engagement that moves from informing to co-creating.
Science needs to evolve, responsibly. And that responsibility extends not only to what we publish, but also to how the systems behind publication are designed. Some important topics to continue reflecting on both internally and within our broader community.
Chief Executive Officer
MDPI AG
26 February 2026
Beverages Webinar | Probiotic and Functional Beverages: Packaging, Stability, and Bio-Fortification Strategies, 23 March 2026
This webinar will spotlight the latest research advances and technological innovations driving the development of next-generation probiotic beverages. The program will cover a range of timely topics, including novel packaging solutions for food and beverage applications, nutritional support strategies for lactic acid bacteria through the valorization of wine lees, and approaches to improve probiotic stability and functionality.
Key discussions will address methods to enhance probiotic viability during processing, storage, and gastrointestinal transit, as well as emerging bio-fortification techniques tailored for beverage matrices. Together, these perspectives aim to tackle critical challenges in probiotic beverage formulation, from sustainable ingredient utilization to maintaining product efficacy and consumer health benefits.
We warmly invite researchers, industry professionals, and practitioners to participate in this engaging webinar to explore cutting-edge solutions and future directions shaping the evolving landscape of probiotic beverages. Join us to exchange insights, share expertise, and contribute to advancing innovation in functional beverage development.
Date: 23 March 2026 at 1:00 p.m. CET| 8:00 p.m. CST Asia
Webinar ID: 817 4139 2655
Website: https://sciforum.net/event/Beverages-2
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information on how to join the webinar. Registrations made with academic institutional email addresses will be prioritized.
Unable to attend? Register anyway and we will let you know when the recording is available to watch online.
Register now for free!
Program:
|
Speaker/Presentation |
Time in CET |
Time in CST Asia |
|
MDPI Introduction |
1:00–1:10 p.m. |
8:00–8:10 p.m. |
|
Dr. Panagiotis Kandylis and Dr. Dimitra Dimitrellou Chair Introduction |
1:10–1:20 p.m. |
8:10–8:20 p.m. |
|
Dr. Poonam Nigam Packaging Solutions for Food and Beverages |
1:20–1:40 p.m. |
8:20–8:40 p.m. |
|
Dr. Evangelos Kokkinomagoulos Nutritional Support of Lactic Acid Bacteria in Probiotic Beverages: Insights From Wine Lees Valorization |
1:40–1:55 p.m. |
8:40–8:55 p.m. |
|
Mrs. Eleni Sakadani Enhancing Probiotic Viability in Beverages During Storage and Gastrointestinal Transit |
1:55–2:10 p.m. |
8:55–9:10 p.m. |
|
Dr. Anastasios Nikolaou Probiotic Bio-Fortification of Beverages |
2:10–2:25 p.m. |
9:10–9:25 p.m. |
|
Q&A Session |
2:25–2:40 p.m. |
9:25–9:40 p.m. |
|
Dr. Panagiotis Kandylis and Dr. Dimitra Dimitrellou Closing of Webinar |
2:40–2:45 p.m. |
9:40–9:45 p.m. |
Webinar Chairs and Speakers:
- Dr. Panagiotis Kandylis (Chair), Ionian University, Greece;
- Dr. Dimitra Dimitrellou (Chair), Ionian University, Greece;
- Dr. Poonam Nigam, Ulster University, United Kingdom;
- Dr. Evangelos Kokkinomagoulos, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece;
- Ms. Eleni Sakantani, Ionian University, Greece;
- Dr. Anastasios Nikolaou, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece.
20 February 2026
MDPI Virtual Academic Publishing Workshop (New Harvest), 25 February 2026
This Academic Publishing Workshop will be led by MDPI Regional Journal Relations Specialist, Dr. Sally Wu, on “Author Training”. Participants will receive practical advice on essential aspects of writing academic articles. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of the academic publishing landscape and how to successfully contribute to it.
Date: 25 February 2026
Time: 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. EST
Schedule:
|
Speaker |
Program |
Time in EST |
|
Dr. Sally Wu |
Introduction |
11:30–11:40 a.m. |
|
Dr. Sally Wu |
Tips for Writing Great Research Papers
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11:40 a.m.–12:15 p.m. |
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Dr. Sally Wu |
How to Respond to Peer Reviewers
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12:15–12:50 p.m. |
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Dr. Sally Wu |
AI in Publishing: Challenges and Opportunities
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12:50–13:30 p.m. |
Speakers:
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Dr. Sally Wu received a PhD in medical science from the University of Toronto in the fall of 2025. She joined MDPI in February 2025 as an Assistant Editor for Cells. She was recently promoted to Regional Journal Relations Specialist position in August. In this role, she works with many journals, liaising with authors, board members, and EiCs. She has attended several conferences across North America, hosted scholar visits, and taken part in other outreach events. |
18 February 2026
MDPI’s Open Access Program Reaches 1,000 Institutions Worldwide
12 February 2026
Beverages | Highly Cited Papers Published in 2024–2025
As all of the articles published in Beverages (ISSN: 2306-5710) are of open access format, you have free and unlimited access to the full text of all articles. We invite you to read our highly cited papers in Beverages, which are listed below:
1. “Grape Pomace as a Renewable Natural Biosource of Value-Added Compounds with Potential Food Industrial Applications”
by Teresa Abreu, Patrícia Sousa, Jéssica Gonçalves, Nance Hontman, Juan Teixeira, José S. Câmara and Rosa Perestrelo
Beverages 2024, 10(2), 45; https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages10020045
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5710/10/2/45
2. “Low-Alcohol and Nonalcoholic Wines: From Production to Cardiovascular Health, along with Their Economic Effects”
by Paula Silva
Beverages 2024, 10(3), 49; https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages10030049
Full text available online:https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5710/10/3/49
3. “Development of a New Kombucha from Grape Pomace: The Impact of Fermentation Conditions on Composition and Biological Activities”
by Nathalie Barakat, Jalloul Bouajila, Sandra Beaufort, Ziad Rizk, Patricia Taillandier and Youssef El Rayess
Beverages 2024, 10(2), 29; https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages10020029
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5710/10/2/29
4. “Craft Beer in Food Science: A Review and Conceptual Framework”
by Laura Gobbi, Marino Stanković, Marco Ruggeri and Marco Savastano
Beverages 2024, 10(3), 91; https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages10030091
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5710/10/3/91
5. “Effect of UV-C Radiation and Thermal Treatment on Volatile Compounds, Physicochemical, Microbiological and Phytochemical Parameters on Apple Juice (Malus domestica) with Raspberry (Rubus idaleus L.)”
by Aztrid E. Estrada-Beltrán, Nora A. Salas-Salazar, Armando Quintero-Ramos, Rafael A. Parra-Quezada, Mayra C. Soto-Caballero, María J. Rodríguez-Roque, América Chávez-Martínez and María A. Flores-Cordova
Beverages 2024, 10(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages10010007
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5710/10/1/7
6. “Composition, Properties, and Beneficial Effects of Functional Beverages on Human Health”
by Andreas Panou and Ioannis Konstantinos Karabagias
Beverages 2025, 11(2), 40; https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages11020040
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5710/11/2/40
7. “Application of Life Cycle Assessment in Beer Production: Systematic Review”
by Fabrizio D’Ascenzo, Giuliana Vinci, Lucia Maddaloni, Marco Ruggeri and Marco Savastano
Beverages 2024, 10(3), 86; https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages10030086
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5710/10/3/86
8. “α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activity of Tea and Kombucha from Rhizophora mucronata Leaves”
by Yunita Eka Puspitasari, Emmy Tuenter, Annelies Breynaert, Kenn Foubert, Herawati Herawati, Anik Martinah Hariati, Aulanni’am Aulanni’am, Tess De Bruyne and Nina Hermans
Beverages 2024, 10(1), 22; https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages10010022
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5710/10/1/22
9. “Impact of Fining Agents on Color, Phenolics, Aroma, and Sensory Properties of Wine: A Review”
by Yogesh Kumar and Rajat Suhag
Beverages 2024, 10(3), 71; https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages10030071
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5710/10/3/71
10. “Exploring Metschnikowia pulcherrima as a Co-Fermenter with Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Influence on Wine Aroma during Fermentation and Ageing”
by Lesly L. Torres-Díaz, Rebeca Murillo-Peña, Miquel Iribarren, Itziar Sáenz de Urturi, Sandra Marín-San Román, Miriam González-Lázaro, Eva P. Pérez-Álvarez and Teresa Garde-Cerdán
Beverages 2024, 10(2), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages10020026
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5710/10/2/26
11. “Impact of Storage Temperature on Green Tea Quality: Insights from Sensory Analysis and Chemical Composition”
by Xi Zhao, Penghui Yu, Ni Zhong, Hao Huang and Hongfa Zheng
Beverages 2024, 10(2), 35; https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages10020035
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5710/10/2/35
by Diana Reyes-Pavón, Kathleen Stephany Soto-Sigala, Edén Cano-Sampedro, Vianey Méndez-Trujillo, María Josse Navarro-Ibarra, Ricardo Pérez-Pasten-Borja, Carlos Olvera-Sandoval and Edgar Torres-Maravilla
Beverages 2024, 10(3), 69; https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages10030069
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5710/10/3/69
13. “Preliminary Characterisation of Metschnikowia pulcherrima to Be Used as a Starter Culture in Red Winemaking”
by Bruno Testa, Francesca Coppola, Massimo Iorizzo, Massimo Di Renzo, Raffaele Coppola and Mariantonietta Succi
Beverages 2024, 10(3), 88; https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages10030088
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5710/10/3/88
14. “Green Tea: Antioxidant vs. Pro-Oxidant Activity”
by Stanila Stoeva, Nadezhda Hvarchanova, Kaloyan D. Georgiev and Maya Radeva-Ilieva
Beverages 2025, 11(3), 64; https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages11030064
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5710/11/3/64
15.“Evaluating the Effect of Adding Selected Herbs, Spices, and Fruits to Fermented Olympus Mountain Tea (Sideritis scardica) Kombucha Sweetened with Thyme Honey: Assessment of Physicochemical and Functional Properties”
by Ioannis Geraris Kartelias, Ioannis Panagiotakopoulos, Constantina Nasopoulou and Haralabos Christos Karantonis
Beverages 2024, 10(1), 9; https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages10010009
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5710/10/1/9
16.“Investigation of Xinomavro Red Wine Aging with Various Wood Chips Using Pulsed Electric Field”
by Artemis K. Toulaki, Vassilis Athanasiadis, Theodoros Chatzimitakos, Dimitrios Kalompatsios, Eleni Bozinou, Kosmas Roufas, George I. Mantanis, Vassilis G. Dourtoglou and Stavros I. Lalas
Beverages 2024, 10(1), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages10010013
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5710/10/1/13
17. “Total Dealcoholisation of Wines by Very Low Temperature Vacuum Distillation Technology Called GoLo”
by José Manuel Veiga-del-Baño, Juan José Cuenca-Martínez, José Oliva, Miguel Ángel Cámara and Pedro Andreo-Martínez
Beverages 2024, 10(2), 32; https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages10020032
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5710/10/2/32
