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Molecules
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Advances in Extraction, Characterization and Application of High-Value Compounds
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Advances in Extraction, Characterization and Application of High-Value Compounds

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Natural Products Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026 | Viewed by 1787

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Sueli Rodrigues

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Food Engineering, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza 60440-900, CE, Brazil
Interests: bioprocess engineering; functional foods; non-thermal technologies; food processing; agri-food wastes
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Rhonyele Maciel da Silva

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
Department of Food Engineering, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza 60440-900, CE, Brazil
Interests: functional foods; non-thermal technologies; waste and by-product valorization; innovative extraction technology; probiotics; yeasts; algae

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The extraction of high-value compounds including carbohydrates, proteins, polyphenols, fatty acids, and bioactive peptides from natural sources has gained increasing attention due to their diverse applications across the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and agricultural industries. The growing focus on sustainability and the circular economy has triggered a shift toward the valorization of by-products, plant residues, marine biomass, and other renewable resources. Recent advances in extraction technologies have significantly improved the recovery of these compounds by enhancing efficiency, selectivity, and environmental sustainability. Green and innovative methods—such as ultrasound-assisted extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, and the use of deep eutectic solvents—have emerged as viable alternatives to conventional techniques. Simultaneously, advanced characterization tools allow a better understanding of the extracted compound for its application in functional foods, nutraceuticals, and bio-based materials. This is a promising route to replace synthetic additives and improve techno-functional and health properties. This Special Issue aims to highlight cutting-edge research on novel extraction strategies, characterization, and applications of high-value natural compounds. We invite researchers to contribute their latest findings and insights to foster scientific dialogue and drive progress in this dynamic, interdisciplinary field.

Prof. Dr. Sueli Rodrigues
Guest Editor

Dr. Rhonyele Maciel da Silva
Guest Editor Assistant

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

  • bioactive compounds
  • green extraction techniques
  • optimization parameters
  • by-product valorization
  • health-promoting properties

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

23 pages, 1106 KB  
Article
Changes of Composition and Nutrition Value of Some Gluten Free (Pseudo)cereals by Addition of Carotenogenic Yeast Cell Homogenate
by Agáta Bendová, Paula Večeríková, Pavlína Sniegoňová, Jan Obračaj, Jiří Holub and Ivana Márová
Molecules 2026, 31(9), 1460; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31091460 - 28 Apr 2026
Viewed by 157
Abstract
Gluten-free cereals and pseudocereals such as oats, quinoa, and buckwheat are widely used as bases for functional foods due to their protein quality, minerals, fiber, and polyphenols. However, they contain relatively low levels of some vitamins. This study evaluated the enrichment of cereal [...] Read more.
Gluten-free cereals and pseudocereals such as oats, quinoa, and buckwheat are widely used as bases for functional foods due to their protein quality, minerals, fiber, and polyphenols. However, they contain relatively low levels of some vitamins. This study evaluated the enrichment of cereal porridges with a cell-free homogenate of the carotenogenic yeast Rhodotorula toruloides (RT) as a natural strategy to enhance their nutritional value. Model porridges prepared from gluten-free oats, quinoa, buckwheat, and their blends were supplemented with 0%, 5%, or 10% R. toruloides homogenate (RTh). Samples were analyzed for antioxidant capacity (ABTS), lipid-soluble vitamins and provitamins (HPLC), fatty acid composition (GC-FID), approximate prebiotic potential, and cytotoxicity using the MTT assay on Caco-2 cells. The addition of RTh significantly increased antioxidant properties, with the highest value observed in buckwheat porridge with 5% RTh (1.9 mg TE/g DW). Lipid-soluble metabolites were detected only in enriched samples, reaching up to 420 µg/g DW ergosterol and 300 µg/g DW total carotenoids, mainly torularhodin. Quinoa porridges showed the highest PUFA content, whereas RTh was rich in oleic acid. Enrichment increased MUFA levels and improved the fatty acid profile. Approximate prebiotic potential was strongest in oat–quinoa blends. Cytotoxicity remained low, with most IC50 values above 2000 µg/mL. Supplementation with 5% R. toruloides homogenate effectively improves antioxidant and lipid composition of gluten-free porridges while maintaining low cytotoxicity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Extraction, Characterization and Application of High-Value Compounds)
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40 pages, 4375 KB  
Article
Low-Processed Extracts from Peppermint Leaves (Mentha × piperita L.) as a Source of Polyphenols and Essential Oils: Evaluation of Green Solvents and Valorization of Post-Extraction Plant Material
by Radosław Kowalski, Klaudia Kałwa, Artur Mazurek and Grażyna Kowalska
Molecules 2026, 31(7), 1128; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31071128 - 29 Mar 2026
Viewed by 643
Abstract
This study examines a low-processed, food-grade extraction concept for peppermint leaves (Mentha × piperita L.) using solvents consistent with the principles of green chemistry and an infusion-like protocol. Primary extraction (2–30 min; 50–100 °C) was carried out using water, plasma-treated nanowater, a [...] Read more.
This study examines a low-processed, food-grade extraction concept for peppermint leaves (Mentha × piperita L.) using solvents consistent with the principles of green chemistry and an infusion-like protocol. Primary extraction (2–30 min; 50–100 °C) was carried out using water, plasma-treated nanowater, a glycerol–water mixture (65%), an ethanol–water mixture (50%; at room temperature and at 50 °C), and rapeseed oil. To evaluate the potential use of biomass within a circular economy model, the residue remaining after the first extraction was subjected to secondary extraction under identical time–temperature conditions. Primary and secondary extracts were characterized in terms of total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), essential oil (EO) recovery, and antioxidant activity (DPPH and FRAP), and extraction yields were expressed relative to a 70% methanolic reference (TPC/TFC) and to the initial EO content in the plant material. Under the most favorable conditions (10 min; 100 °C; ethanol–water at 50 °C), the highest extraction yields of polar phytochemicals (TPC and TFC) were obtained with water and nanowater, whereas the ethanol–water mixture (50%) and rapeseed oil provided the greatest recovery of essential oil (up to complete depletion after the second extraction). Antioxidant activity showed a similar dependence on solvent type, with water and nanowater extracts exhibiting the highest DPPH/FRAP values. Importantly, secondary extraction contributed a substantial share of the total recovered bioactive compounds (often >30% of combined TPC/TFC), confirming that post-extraction residues remain a valuable raw material. The results support a practical, sequential strategy for designing peppermint extracts: aqueous and glycerol systems for phenolic-rich extracts, and ethanol and oil systems for essential-oil-enriched preparations, with secondary extraction enabling simple, low-energy biomass valorization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Extraction, Characterization and Application of High-Value Compounds)
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27 pages, 2278 KB  
Article
Germination as a Sustainable Green Pre-Treatment for the Recovery and Enhancement of High-Value Compounds in Broccoli and Kale
by Christine (Neagu) Dragomir, Corina Dana Misca, Sylvestre Dossa, Daniela Stoin, Ariana Velciov, Călin Jianu, Isidora Radulov, Mariana Suba, Catalin Ianasi and Ersilia Alexa
Molecules 2026, 31(2), 350; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31020350 - 19 Jan 2026
Viewed by 523
Abstract
Germination is widely recognized as an effective strategy to enhance the nutritional quality and reduce anti-nutritional factors in plant foods. This study evaluated the impact of germination on Cruciferous vegetables (family Cruciferae or Brassicaceae) broccoli and kale by assessing changes in proximate [...] Read more.
Germination is widely recognized as an effective strategy to enhance the nutritional quality and reduce anti-nutritional factors in plant foods. This study evaluated the impact of germination on Cruciferous vegetables (family Cruciferae or Brassicaceae) broccoli and kale by assessing changes in proximate composition, macro- and microelement profiles, total and individual polyphenols, phytic acid content, antimicrobial activity, and structural characteristics using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Small- and Wide-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS/WAXS) analyses. Germination significantly increased protein content (30.33% in broccoli sprouts and 30.21% in kale sprouts), total phenolic content (424.40 mg/100 g in broccoli sprouts and 497.94 mg/100 g in kale sprouts), and essential minerals, while reducing phytic acid levels in both species (up to 82.20%). Antimicrobial effects were matrix-dependent, being detected in broccoli and kale seed powders, while no inhibitory activity was observed for the corresponding sprout powders under the tested conditions. FTIR spectra indicated notable modifications in functional groups related to carbohydrates, proteins, and phenolic compounds, while SAXS analysis revealed structural reorganizations at the nanoscale. Overall, germination improved the nutritional and phytochemical quality of broccoli and kale while decreasing anti-nutritional compounds, highlighting its potential to enhance the health-promoting value of Brassica sprouts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Extraction, Characterization and Application of High-Value Compounds)
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