Current Trends in Plant Phytochemicals: Analysis and Biological Activities
A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Natural Products Chemistry".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2026 | Viewed by 265
Editors
Interests: horticulture; plant chromatography; fruit breeding; general agricultural and biological sciences
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: plant biotechnology; plant secondary metabolites; bioactive plant molecules; natural products; plant metabolomics; anticancer compounds
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Phytochemicals are plant-derived bioactive compounds synthesized through primary and secondary metabolic pathways, including phenolics, flavonoids, carotenoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, and glucosinolates. These compounds play important roles in plant physiology and environmental adaptation, and they are also of considerable interest due to their potential functional properties in food, agriculture, and related applied sciences. Numerous studies have demonstrated that phytochemicals exhibit diverse biological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and other biofunctional effects, primarily based on in vitro, biochemical, and experimental model systems.
Recent advances in analytical techniques—including chromatography, mass spectrometry, near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, and metabolomics approaches—have greatly improved the accurate detection, identification, and characterization of phytochemical constituents. In parallel, experimental and mechanistic studies have enhanced our understanding of their functional roles, stability, and potential applications in plant science, food technology, nutrition, agriculture, and natural product research.
Despite these developments, important knowledge gaps remain regarding the stability, interactions, and dose-dependent responses of many phytochemicals under different environmental, processing, and storage conditions. Therefore, interdisciplinary research integrating advanced analytical methodologies with comprehensive experimental and functional evaluations is essential to further elucidate the properties and applications of plant-derived bioactive compounds.
This Special Issue aims to compile recent scientific advances in phytochemical research, including qualitative and quantitative analysis, metabolomics, biological activity assessment in experimental systems, functional food development, sustainable and green extraction technologies, structure–activity relationships, as well as studies on stability and bioaccessibility. Original research articles, short communications, and review papers that contribute to advancing phytochemical science are welcome.
Prof. Dr. Nesibe Ebru Kafkas
Prof. Dr. Karla Ramirez-Estrada
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- phytochemicals
- secondary metabolites
- analytical techniques
- plant metabolomics
- nutraceuticals
- bioactive compounds
- medicinal plants
- fruits
- vegetables
- field crops
- ornamentals
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