MDPI’s Journal Cluster of Bioactive Science and Engineering
Bioactive science represents a synergistic convergence of molecular discovery, organic synthesis, and biotechnological engineering. It encompasses the entire spectrum of bioactive compounds, from the isolation of natural products to the advanced synthetic biology, metabolic engineering and fermentation processes required for scalable production. This dynamic field integrates diverse disciplines—including lipidomics, analytical chemistry, biosensor technology, and pharmaceuticals —to address critical challenges in medicine, agriculture, and industry. By bridging the gap between fundamental biological activity and technological application, bioactive research drives the innovation necessary to transform molecular potential into real-world solutions.
MDPI’s Bioactive Science and Engineering journal cluster serves as a premier platform for multidisciplinary research that spans the full lifecycle of bioactive molecules, which unites the finest journals in natural products, biosynthesis, and therapeutic application, fostering a holistic environment for researchers to share groundbreaking findings. We are committed to accelerating the dissemination of knowledge that fuels advancements in drug discovery, biomedical innovation, sustainable agriculture, food safety, product development, manufacturing, and industrial processes. Through this cohesive cluster, MDPI provides authors with a strategic publishing home, ensuring their work connects with a global, cross-disciplinary audience and drives the next wave of scientific and technological breakthroughs.
The eight participating journals are as follows:
- Metabolites (ISSN 2218-1989) focuses on the identification and quantification of endogenous and exogenous metabolites, experimental and computational advances in metabolomics, metabolic biomarkers, and applications in clinical, agricultural, and industrial settings. Metabolites is led by Editor-in-Chief Dr. Amedeo Lonardo (Retired, Internal Medicine, Ospedale Civile di Baggiovara, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria, 41126 Modena, Italy);
- Antioxidants (ISSN 2076-3921) focuses on new insights and ideas on active species and processes of biological relevance, natural products, mechanisms of action, applications and uses. Antioxidants is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Alessandra Napolitano (Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Italy);
- Psychoactives (ISSN 2813-1851) focuses on the chemical, biological, neurological, medical, environmental, social, and political aspects of psychoactive (i.e., psychotropic) substances, covering multidisciplinary research on psychoactive drugs including classical psychoactives and new psychoactive substances (NPS). Psychoactives is led by Editor‑in‑Chief Prof. Dr. Ricardo Dinis‑Oliveira (1 Associate Laboratory i4HB, Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, University Institute of Health Sciences—CESPU, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal; 2 UCIBIO—Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Translational Toxicology Research Laboratory, University Institute of Health Sciences (1H-TOXRUN, IUCS-CESPU), 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal; 3 Department of Public Health and Forensic Sciences and Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal; 4 FOREN—Forensic Science Experts, Dr. Mário Moutinho Avenue, No. 33-A, 1400-136 Lisbon, Portugal);
- SynBio (ISSN 2674-0583) focuses on molecular biology, biochemistry and metabolism, including omics-based systems biology, to design and engineer biological systems for uses such as biosensors, the degradation of pollutants or production of small molecules, biopolymers or supramolecular assemblies. SynBio is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Bernd Rehm (1 Centre for Cell Factories and Biopolymers (CCFB), Institute for Biomedicine and Glycomics, Griffith University (Nathan Campus), Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia; 2 Menzies Health Institute Queensland (MHIQ), Griffith University (Gold Coast Campus), Southport, QLD 4215, Australia);
- Lipidology (ISSN 2813-7086) focuses on lipid research, which links several scientific disciplines, including chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology, pharmacology, nutrition, metabolism, and clinical science. Lipidology is led by Prof. Dr. Nicola Ferri (Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padova, Padova, Italy);
- Journal of Phytomedicine (ISSN 3042-9250) focuses on advanced research on all aspects of phytomedicines, including their development, efficacy, quality control, pharmacodynamics, and therapeutic and clinical applications. Journal of Phytomedicine is led by its Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Dr. Michail Panagiotidis (Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, USA);
- Bioactives focuses on advancing the understanding of bioactive compounds through interdisciplinary research, from discovery to applications. Bioactives is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Robert Ancuceanu (Department of Pharmaceutical Botany and Cell Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020956 Bucharest, Romania);
- Enzymology (ISSN 3043-2340) focuses on publishing high-quality research in enzymology—spanning fields such as enzyme chemistry and catalysis, as well as enzyme engineering and biotechnology—to foster communication and advancement between fundamental and applied research. Enzymology is led by Editor-in-Chief Dr. Sam P. de Visser, (Department of Chemical Engineering, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, UK).
|
Journals |
Launch Year |
Impact Factor (2025) |
CiteScore (2025) |
First Decision (median) |
APC |
|
Metabolites |
2011 |
4.5 |
8.1 |
16.5 Days |
CHF 2700 |
|
Antioxidants |
2012 |
8.2 |
14.7 |
19.8 Days |
CHF 2900 |
|
Psychoactives |
2022 |
/ |
/ |
29.4 Days |
CHF 1000 |
|
SynBio |
2023 |
/ |
/ |
19.9 Days |
CHF 1000 |
|
Lipidology |
2024 |
/ |
/ |
32.5 Days |
CHF 1000 |
|
Journal of Phytomedicine |
2026 |
/ |
/ |
18.0 Days |
CHF 1000 |
|
Bioactives |
/ |
/ |
/ |
/ |
CHF 1000 |
|
Enzymology |
/ |
/ |
/ |
/ |
CHF 1000 |
MDPI’s Mission and Values:
As a pioneer of academic open access publishing, MDPI has been serving the scientific community since 1996. Our mission is to foster scientific exchange in all forms and across all disciplines. MDPI’s guidelines for disseminating open science are based on the following values and guiding principles:
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By adhering to these values and principles, MDPI remains committed to advancing scientific knowledge and promoting open science practices.
Selected Special Issues:
“Advances in the Metabolic Engineering of Microorganisms”
Guest Editor: Dr. Mu Li
Submission deadline: 20 March 2027
“Exploring Pathological Mechanisms in Obesity, Diabetes, and Metabolic Syndrome: 2nd Edition”
Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Tiemin Liu, Dr. Hongmei Yan and Dr. Qiongyue Zhang
Submission deadline: 31 December 2026
“Nutrition and Dietary Supplementation in the Context of Health, Disease, and Physical Performance”
Guest Editors: Dr. Magdalena Górnicka and Dr. Ewa Niedźwiedzka
Submission deadline: 15 March 2027
“Natural Antioxidants in Functional Foods”
Guest Editors: Dr. Angela Cardinali, Dr. Palmira De Bellis and Dr. Anna Rita Bavaro
Submission deadline: 31 December 2026
“Plants and Plant-Based By-Products as Valuable Sources of Antioxidants: Current Tendencies and Achievements in Their Exploitation”
Guest Editors: Dr. Svetlana Momchilova and Dr. Adriana Slavova-Kazakova
Submission deadline: 18 January 2027
Selected Topics:
“Exploring Nutritional, Antioxidant and Functional Potential of Plant-Based Food and Plant Bioactive Compounds in Human Health”
Topic Editors: Dr. Gianluca Rizzo and Dr. Andrea Armani
Submission deadline: 8 May 2027
“Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals in Health and Disease”
Topic Editors: Dr. Srinivas Nammi and Dr. Dennis Chang
Submission deadline: 20 December 2026
“Bioactive Compounds from Agricultural and Agro-Industrial By-Products: Recovery, Characterization, and Health-Promoting Applications”
Topic Editors: Dr. Emanuele Boselli, Dr. Edoardo Longo and Dr. Alberto Ceccon
Submission deadline: 28 February 2027
“From Plant to Pharmacology: Understanding the Metabolism of Natural Products”
Topic Editors: Prof. Dr. Fawzy A. Elbarbry and Dr. Mike Espiritu
Submission deadline: 14 August 2027
“The Use of Natural Bioactive Ingredients in Cosmetic Products: Advantages and Challenges”
Topic Editors: Dr. Hugo Almeida and Prof. Dr. Maria Beatriz P. P. Oliveira
Submission deadline: 30 April 2027
“Advancing Sustainable Proteins: Alternative Sources, Novel Processing, and Food Applications for Global Challenges”
Topic Editors: Dr. Rubén Domínguez-Valencia, Dr. Rita Carneiro Alves, Dr. Sonia G. Sayago-Ayerdi and Dr. Ethel E. Pérez
Submission deadline: 31 May 2027
“Lipid Metabolism in Human Health and Diseases”
Topic Editors: Dr. Dimitris Kounatidis and Dr. Iordanis Mourouzis
Submission deadline: 30 April 2027