Green Extraction, Characterization, and Biological Potential of Natural Phytochemicals
A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Natural Products Chemistry".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2026 | Viewed by 91
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
In recent decades, the increasing demand for sustainable, safe, and effective bioactive compounds has driven research toward the characterization of natural phytochemicals, exploring some by-products or even new undervalue materials. Beyond characterization, the development of extraction methods for the recovery of these naturally occurring compounds, present in plants, fruits, herbs, and agro-industrial by-products, has been evaluated, including the evaluation of green extraction processes or some conventional with modifications, in order to retain the biological activities of the phytochemicals, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anti-obesity, neuroprotective effects and more.
However, traditional extraction methods commonly used often involve the use of toxic solvents, high energy consumption, and environmentally unfriendly practices, which can affect phytochemical bioactivity and limit their industrial uses; therefore, in this Special Issue, uses of organic solvents will only be accepted as a comparative technique. As a response, green extraction technologies such as supercritical fluid extraction, biosolvents combined with ultrasound-assisted extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, enzyme-assisted extraction, and deep eutectic solvents have emerged as non-conventional and sustainable alternatives. These techniques aim to reduce environmental impact while improving extraction efficiency, selectivity, and the preservation of bioactivity.
This Special Issue invites original research articles, reviews, and short communications focusing on the green extraction, chemical and structural characterization, and biological evaluation of natural phytochemicals, including in vitro or in vivo models. This Special Issue aims to bridge the gap between sustainable processing technologies and the growing application of phytochemicals in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals, and functional foods.
Topics of Interest:
- Innovative green extraction methods for phytochemicals, including the use of renewable and non-toxic solvents and the optimization of extraction parameters for enhanced yield and bioactivity
- Structural and chemical characterization of extracted compounds, assessment of stability, bioavailability, and encapsulation strategies
- In vitro and in vivo evaluation of phytochemicals biological activities (e.g., antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory) and their applications in food, health, and cosmetic industries
Dr. Gustavo A. Castillo-Herrera
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- green extraction
- chemical characterization
- phytochemicals
- bioactivity
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