Carotenoids and Their Derivatives: Extraction, Characterization, and Applications
A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Natural Products Chemistry".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2026 | Viewed by 1
Special Issue Editors
Interests: assessment of process–structure–function–product relationship of targeted biologically active compounds; valorization of highly nutritional and functional by-products from food industry; microencapsulation of active ingredients; application of microencapsulation for safe delivery of bioactive substances in food system
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: bioactive compounds; natural pigments; phenolic compounds; bioavailability; bioaccessibility; liquid chromatography
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Carotenoids and their derivatives represent a fascinating class of naturally occurring pigments synthesized by plants, algae, and certain microorganisms. These compounds perform specific functions in their sources and exert a multifaceted influence on food quality, nutrition, and human health through their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and chronic disease-preventive properties. Recent advances in green and sustainable extraction technologies have improved carotenoid recovery while minimizing environmental impacts, and the integration of cutting-edge analytical and spectroscopic tools has enabled deeper insights into their structural diversity, stability, and bioavailability. Together, these innovations are transforming our understanding of carotenoids and driving novel applications across food science, biotechnology, and health research.
The applications of carotenoids and their derivatives now extend far beyond traditional uses as colorants, bridging the fields of functional foods, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnological formulations. Advances in encapsulation, stabilization, and delivery systems are enhancing their bioavailability and expanding their potential to support human well-being.
This Special Issue will bring together high-quality contributions on sustainable extraction methods, advanced analytical characterization, and innovative applications of carotenoids from natural sources. We welcome research articles and reviews that address one or more of the following areas:
- The development of green, efficient, and sustainable extraction methodologies for carotenoids and their derivatives;
- Advanced characterization and quantification of carotenoids from novel natural sources and food matrices;
- Structural elucidation and bioavailability studies of carotenoids and their metabolites using analytical and computational techniques;
- Applications of carotenoids as natural colorants, antioxidants, or functional ingredients in food and pharmaceutical systems;
- Metabolic pathways and bioactivities of carotenoid derivatives in health and disease prevention;
- The valorization of agro-industrial by-products as sustainable carotenoid sources;
- Emerging trends in encapsulation, stabilization, and delivery systems for carotenoid bioactives.
We invite you to contribute to this Special Issue and join us in advancing the sustainable utilization and our scientific understanding of carotenoids.
Prof. Dr. Gabriela Rapeanu
Guest Editor
Dr. Claudia Inés Victoria-Campos
Dr. Braulio Cervantes-Paz
Guest Editor Assistants
Manuscript Submission Information
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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. Molecules 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 2700 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
- carotenoids
- carotenoid derivatives
- green extraction technologies
- analytical characterization
- bioaccessibility
- bioavailability
- encapsulation and delivery systems
- functional foods
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