Innovative Technologies for Food Processing and Preservation

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, growing global population and demand for healthier diets have accelerated the development of alternative food processing methods. This Special Issue invites original research, short communications, and reviews highlighting advances in innovative processing and preservation technologies—including ionizing radiation, high pressure, cold plasma, freeze-drying, enzyme-based, and hurdle technologies—that improve the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of foods. We particularly welcome chemically oriented studies on the following:

• Component Modification and Functionality: studies on how technologies alter the structure and functionality of macromolecules (e.g., protein denaturation/aggregation, starch gelatinization, lipid oxidation).
• Analytical Methodologies: the application of advanced analytical techniques (e.g., chromatography, spectroscopy, mass spectrometry) to characterize chemical changes, nutrient degradation, or the formation of novel compounds.
• Bioavailability and Bioactivity: research on the impact of processing on the release, stability, and biological activity of nutrients and bioactive compounds.

Comprehensive studies encompassing the microbial safety and organoleptic and phytochemical characterization of processed foods are welcome. Submissions should ideally link the observed macro-level outcomes (safety, quality) to the underlying chemical principles and changes.

This Special Issue will provide a platform to highlight the pivotal role of chemistry in driving innovation in food science, fostering the development of safer, higher-quality, and more sustainable food products.

Dr. Joana Madureira
Dr. Sandra Cabo Verde
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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.