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Natural-Sourced Compounds: Chemical Composition, Biological Activity and Toxicity Assessment

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Toxicology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 May 2024) | Viewed by 4773

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Laboratory of Marine Biotechnologies and Environment (BIOMARE), Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Chouaib Doukkali University (UCD), El Jadida 24000, Morocco
Interests: toxicology; food contaminants; mycotoxins; risk assessment; public health; food microbiology; probiotics; natural resources; valorization; fermentation
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Guest Editor
Functional Ecology and Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Faculty of Science and Technology, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez 30050, Morocco
Interests: natural resources; biotechnology; microbiology; polymer chemistry; materials chemistry; environmental science; food science; plant fertilization; animal and human nutrition

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Natural-Sourced Compounds (NSCs) obtained from terrestrial and marine origins such as plants, animals, algae, fish and microorganisms, etc., are considered excellent natural sources of biomolecules with diverse and potentially interesting biological activities. The biological activity of such NSCs depends on their chemical composition and biochemical properties. Their most sought-after biological activities are their antimicrobial, antioxidant and pest control properties, as well as their utility as vectors in various nano- or micro-encapsulation biomaterial applications.

Nowadays, there is a significant demand for research pertaining to the identification of biomolecules from NSCs, considering their potential application in various fields against pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms; this particularly includes the medical, cosmetics, agri-food and environmental domains, and their application as biopesticides. Considering that the quality and safety of biomolecules obtained from NSCs have a direct impact on public health, it is imperative to assess their toxicity in order to make a sound decision before they are utilized in any conceivable application.

This Special Issue, entitled "Natural-Sourced Compounds: Chemical composition, Biological activity and Toxicity Assessment", and launched by MDPI’s International Journal of Molecular Sciences (IJMS), aims to publish high-quality research papers describing the chemical composition of natural compounds obtained from different biological sources (plants, animals, microorganisms, marine sources, etc.) that have high added value, fascinating biological activities and provide novel biotechnological solutions. Particular prominence will be given to articles that obtain NSCs from inexhaustible biological sources, particularly microbial and marine resources, and that employ green alternative extraction methods. The submission of articles reflecting toxicity assessments using in vitro models is strongly encouraged and those addressing the application of validated protocols, methods and/or novel recommended approaches are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Abdellah Zinedine
Dr. Faouzi Errachidi
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • natural-sourced compounds
  • marine resources
  • chemical composition
  • biological activity
  • antimicrobial
  • antioxidant
  • green extraction methods
  • toxicity assessment

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 1056 KiB  
Article
Mediterranean Plants and Spices as a Source of Bioactive Essential Oils for Food Applications: Chemical Characterisation and In Vitro Activity
by Federica Barbieri, Giulia Tabanelli, Giacomo Braschi, Daniela Bassi, Sara Morandi, Vida Šimat, Martina Čagalj, Fausto Gardini and Chiara Montanari
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(8), 3875; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26083875 - 19 Apr 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 467
Abstract
Mediterranean officinal plants and spices are rich sources of bioactive compounds that can be used to improve the safety and quality of fresh food products. Among them, essential oils (EOs), known for their antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, can be a feasible solution for [...] Read more.
Mediterranean officinal plants and spices are rich sources of bioactive compounds that can be used to improve the safety and quality of fresh food products. Among them, essential oils (EOs), known for their antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, can be a feasible solution for natural and healthy foods with low environmental impact. This study evaluates the bioactive potential of ten EOs derived from Mediterranean officinal plants and spices. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis identified compounds with known antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. In vitro antioxidant potential using different methods highlighted the promising effect of cloves and cinnamon EOs. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) assays revealed strong antimicrobial activity of oregano and cinnamon EOs against foodborne pathogens, including Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus, with MIC values ranging from 0.25 to 0.50 mg/mL. This activity can be attributed to the predominance of carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde, whose antimicrobial activity is well-documented. The impact of medium pH and water activity on the antimicrobial efficacy of the EOs was also assessed. Overall, this research contributes to increasing the knowledge of the potential applications of plant-derived EOs in food preservation, offering a natural, sustainable, and consumer-friendly approach to enhancing food quality, safety, and nutritional value. Full article
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Review

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20 pages, 1285 KiB  
Review
Bisphenol A—What Do We Know? A Global or Local Approach at the Public Health Risk Level
by Angelika Edyta Charkiewicz, Wioleta Justyna Omeljaniuk and Jacek Nikliński
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(11), 6229; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25116229 - 5 Jun 2024
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3299
Abstract
BPA has demonstrated enormous multisystem and multi-organ toxicity shown mainly in animal models. Meanwhile, the effects of its exposure in humans still require years of observation, research, and answers to many questions. Even minimal and short-term exposure contributes to disorders or various types [...] Read more.
BPA has demonstrated enormous multisystem and multi-organ toxicity shown mainly in animal models. Meanwhile, the effects of its exposure in humans still require years of observation, research, and answers to many questions. Even minimal and short-term exposure contributes to disorders or various types of dysfunction. It is released directly or indirectly into the environment at every stage of the product life cycle, demonstrating its ease of penetration into the body. The ubiquity and general prevalence of BPA influenced the main objective of the study, which was to assess the toxicity and health effects of BPA and its derivatives based on the available literature. In addition, the guidelines of various international institutions or regions of the world in terms of its reduction in individual products were checked. Bisphenol A is the most widely known chemical and perhaps even the most studied by virtually all international or national organizations, but nonetheless, it is still controversial. In general, the level of BPA biomonitoring is still too high and poses a potential threat to public health. It is beginning to be widely argued that future toxicity studies should focus on molecular biology and the assessment of human exposure to BPA, as well as its substitutes. The effects of its exposure still require years of observation, extensive research, and answers to many questions. It is necessary to continue to deepen the knowledge and interest of many organizations, companies, and consumers around the world in order to make rational purchases as well as future choices, not only consumer ones. Full article
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