Valorization of Agri-Food By-Products for Disease Prevention: Extraction, Characterization and Translational Potential
A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Food Chemistry".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 February 2027 | Viewed by 1610
Editors
Interests: spectroscopy; chromatography; mass spectrometry; plant bioactive compounds; antioxidant activity; oxidative stress and inflammation; cardiovascular diseases
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: food chemistry; food biochemistry; food science; food analysis; antioxidants; antioxidant activity; phytochemicals; food science and technology; food and nutrition; food processing; grapevine; grapes; grape pomace; wine
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The agri-food sector plays a central role in the global economy, including the production and processing of cereals, fruits, vegetables, oilseeds, legumes, dairy products, meat, fish, and fermented beverages such as wine, beer, and fruit juices. These industrial activities inevitably generate large volumes of by-products and wastes, including peels, pomace, seeds, bran, husks, shells, whey, and processing residues. Nowadays, these materials are increasingly recognized as valuable sources of biologically active constituents; indeed, agri-food byproducts and wastes often contains significant amounts of polyphenols, fibers, bioactive peptides, fatty acids, carotenoids, minerals, and complex carbohydrates, many of which exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, metabolic-regulating, and cytoprotective effects. Through the use of appropriate valorization strategies, these compounds can be suitable for applications in functional foods and nutraceuticals, incorporated into pharmaceutical formulations, or developed for medical and preventive health uses, thereby contributing to both human health and circular economy objectives.
This Special Issue will collect original research articles and comprehensive reviews that explore the recovery and utilization of agri-food byproducts for disease prevention and health promotion. Contributions addressing advanced extraction and processing techniques, including green and sustainable technologies, are particularly welcome. Studies focusing on the chemical, structural, and biological characterization of bioactive compounds derived from food processing residues, as well as investigations into their mechanisms of action, are also encouraged.
In addition, this Special Issue invites manuscripts that highlight the translational potential of byproduct-derived bioactives, including their formulation, stability, and bioavailability. Research demonstrating applications in the food, pharmaceutical, or medical sectors, as well as that aligned with sustainability, waste reduction, and circular bioeconomy frameworks, will be highly valued. Collectively, the contributions will advance interdisciplinary knowledge and support the development of innovative strategies for transforming agri-food waste into health-promoting resources.
Dr. Raluca Maria Pop
Dr. Veronica Sanda Chedea
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-anonymized 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
- agri-food by-products
- bioactive compounds
- health promotion
- green extraction
- circular bioeconomy
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