Natural Bioactives and Functional Ingredients in Foods
A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Food Chemistry".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 16 May 2026 | Viewed by 660
Special Issue Editor
Interests: food technologies; bioactive compounds; bio-waste recovery; food innovation; sustainable research
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The growing interest in foods with functional properties has driven research focused on the identification, characterization, and application of natural bioactive compounds in food matrices. These ingredients, derived from plants, algae, microorganisms, and agro-industrial by-products, play a key role in promoting health and preventing non-communicable chronic diseases. This Special Issue gathers innovative studies on the extraction, stability, bioavailability, mechanisms of action, and physiological effects of natural bioactives such as polyphenols, carotenoids, bioactive peptides, prebiotics, and other functional ingredients. It also addresses technological strategies for incorporating these compounds into foods and beverages, as well as the regulatory and sensory challenges related to their use. This Issue aims to foster scientific exchange among researchers, industry professionals, and policymakers, promoting the advancement of knowledge and the development of healthier and more sustainable foods.
Dr. Cristina Caleja
Guest Editor
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
- natural bioactive compounds
- functional food ingredients
- health-promoting foods
- nutraceuticals
- food innovation
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