Food Gels: Formation Mechanisms, Functions, Applications, and Challenges
A special issue of Gels (ISSN 2310-2861). This special issue belongs to the section "Gel Processing and Engineering".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 June 2026 | Viewed by 37
Special Issue Editors
Interests: polyphenols; olive oil; by-products; antioxidants; food preservation; anthocyanins; green extraction methods; gels
Interests: food chemistry; food analysis; food authenticity; food processing; food technology; nutritional characteristics of food; food packaging; fermentation products; natural antioxidants
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Food gels are versatile systems that play a pivotal role in modern food science and technology. Formed through the three-dimensional network of biopolymers such as proteins and polysaccharides, food gels are essential for tailoring texture, encapsulating bioactives, improving stability, and enabling novel food design. As the industry continues to respond to consumer demand for healthier, plant-based, and functional food products, the importance of understanding gelation mechanisms and functional performance has never been greater.
This Special Issue aims to provide a platform for the latest research on the fundamental and applied aspects of food gels. We invite contributions that explore the mechanisms behind gel formation, structural and rheological characterization, novel gelling agents, the impact of processing technologies, and the functional applications of gels in food systems. Topics may also include innovations in the enhancement of the texture and stability of food gels using polyphenolic extracts and in sustainability in gel formulations.
By bringing together diverse perspectives from academia and industry, this Special Issue seeks to address current challenges and stimulate new directions in food gel research. We encourage original research articles, reviews, and case studies that contribute to a deeper scientific understanding and practical advancement in the field. This Issue will serve as a valuable resource for scientists, technologists, and product developers working at the intersection of food structure, functionality, and innovation.
Dr. Alexios Vardakas
Dr. Ioannis Konstantinos Karabagias
Dr. Kiril Mihalev
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. Gels is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 2100 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
- food gels
- gelation mechanisms
- rheology
- biopolymers
- protein and polysaccharide gels
- functional foods
- plant-based gels
- food structure
- texture modification
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.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
