Essential Oils: Chemical Characterization, Bioactivity and Innovative Applications
A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Natural Products Chemistry".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2027 | Viewed by 22
Special Issue Editors
Interests: essential oils; phytochemistry; GC–MS analysis; antimicrobial activity; antibiofilm activity; antifungal activity; natural bioactive compounds; food preservation; molecular docking; ADME analysis; medicinal and aromatic plants; functional foods; nanocarriers and encapsulation systems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: sustainable agriculture; medicinal and aromatic plants; essential oils; phytochemistry; plant bioactive compounds; agricultural biotechnology; plant protection; biopesticides; sustainable crop production; green extraction technologies; functional foods; food safety; antioxidant activity; antimicrobial activity; environmental protection; plant-derived natural compounds; agricultural applications of bioactive compounds; soil–plant interactions; sustainable agricultural systems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Essential oils continue to attract significant scientific interest due to their complex chemical composition and broad spectrum of biological activities. Recent advances in analytical chemistry, biotechnology, microbiology, pharmaceutical sciences, and green extraction technologies have considerably expanded our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the bioactivity of essential oils and their potential applications in agriculture, medicine, food industry, cosmetics, and environmental protection. In particular, innovative extraction methods such as supercritical fluid extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, and other sustainable technologies have improved the efficiency, selectivity, and quality of essential oil recovery while supporting environmentally friendly production processes.
This Special Issue aims to highlight the recent progress related to the characterization, biological evaluation, advanced extraction methods, and innovative applications of essential oils and their related natural volatile compounds. The topics of interest include, but are not limited to, phytochemical profiling, antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, synergistic interactions, nanoencapsulation strategies, molecular docking studies, food preservation and functional foods, sustainable agricultural applications including biopesticides and plant protection, pharmaceutical and medical applications, safety assessment, and novel delivery systems for bioactive compounds.
Special attention will be given to innovative approaches that support the use of essential oils as natural alternatives in modern agriculture, medicine, and the food industry, contributing to sustainable development, improved human health, and safer food systems.
Both original research articles and high-quality review papers are welcome. Through this Special Issue, we aim to provide an interdisciplinary platform that brings together researchers working on the chemistry, functionality, technological advances, and practical applications of essential oils.
Dr. Diana Obistioiu
Dr. Florin Imbrea
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.
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
- essential oils
- phytochemistry
- green extraction technologies
- bioactivity
- antimicrobial activity
- antibiofilm activity
- antimicrobial resistance
- antioxidant activity
- nanoencapsulation
- molecular docking
- therapeutic potential
- alternative medicine
- functional foods
- food preservation
- biopesticides
- sustainable agriculture
- natural bioactive compounds
- novel delivery systems
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
