Featured Review on Essential Oils

Dear Colleagues,

Essential oils, complex mixtures of volatile compounds derived from aromatic plants, have captivated scientific and industrial interest for their multifaceted roles in health, agriculture, and sustainability. These natural extracts—rich in terpenes, phenolics, and aldehydes—exhibit diverse bioactivities, from antimicrobial and antioxidant properties to neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. As demand grows for eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic chemicals, essential oils are emerging as pivotal players in green chemistry, precision medicine, and circular economies.

This Special Issue seeks cutting-edge reviews that unravel the molecular complexity of essential oils through advanced analytical methods (e.g., GC-MS, GC×GC-MS, NMR-based metabolomics) and innovative extraction techniques (e.g., subcritical water, enzyme-assisted processes). We encourage submissions exploring their therapeutic mechanisms (e.g., synergy between components, receptor-targeted actions), sustainable sourcing strategies (e.g., agro-waste valorization, biodiversity conservation), and novel delivery systems (e.g., nanoencapsulation, edible coatings). Additionally, contributions addressing safety profiling, industrial scalability (e.g., standardization for pharmaceuticals), or cross-disciplinary applications (e.g., biodegradable pesticides, functional foods) are welcome. We also encourage the submission of work on the effect of drying processes on the functional properties of essential-oil-bearing plants.

Prof. Dr. Antoni Szumny
Guest Editor

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