Advanced Production, Analysis and Applications of Natural Antimicrobials and Antioxidants

Dear Colleagues,

The chemical antioxidant and antimicrobial products have been accused for certain negative effects on human health, as well as for environmental problems. Therefore, a new trend has been established aiming at the substitution of them by non-hazardous natural bioactive compounds in real life applications. Among them we can consider the application of natural compounds in Agro-Food and Cosmetics sector, as well as in the production of nutraceuticals and natural medicines. The production of commercial products from natural raw materials which can be used as natural antioxidants or/and antimicrobials is a high added value activity and involves novel technologies. Novel “green” technologies like Microwave or Ultrasound assisted extraction or combination of them, High Voltage Discharge or high pressure extraction for the initial production of natural extracts are combined with advanced cross flow membrane technologies (MF, UF, NF and RO) or Industrial Chromatography for separation, purification and concentration of them. In addition, cutting edge, non-thermal preservation technologies like High Pressure, Pulsed Electric Field or Plasma have been emerged to safeguard the produced natural extracts against pathogens and spoilage microorganisms  Moreover, low temperature non-destructive technologies like conventional or microwave freeze drying, vacuum microwave drying or electrospray are used for the drying of the purified natural extracts as well as for subsequent encapsulation of them to achieve color and odor masking, protection from oxidation and increase of the bioavailability of the contained natural bio-actives. An interesting aspect of natural product technology is also the use of agrofood-wastes as raw materials in order to gain added value and simultaneously decrease the carbon fingerprint of their production. Finally, novel research on natural products concerning modern instrumental methods for analysis and smart and commercially oriented applications of them, either as natural antimicrobials, or/and as antioxidants, can also be included in the present Special Issue. 

Prof. Dr. Konstantinos Petrotos
Guest Editor

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