Bioactive Peptides from Food Sources: Multi-System Health Benefits and Molecular Mechanisms
A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Proteins and Amino Acids".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2026
Special Issue Editors
Interests: bioactive peptides; muscle health; enzymatic hydrolysis; skin repair; gut-brain axis; heat stress
Interests: bioactive peptides; heat stress; wound healing; inflammation; functional foods
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Food-derived bioactive peptides, originating from plant, animal, and microbial sources, have emerged as promising functional ingredients with significant health-promoting potential beyond their basic nutritional value. This Special Issue of Nutrients aims to explore the multifaceted roles of these short-chain peptides in modulating critical physiological functions.
We invite the submission of original research and review articles that investigate the biological activities of dietary peptides across various health domains. Of particular interest are studies elucidating their effects on skeletal muscle protein synthesis and attenuation of atrophy (sarcopenia); the modulation of gut microbiota, barrier integrity, and overall intestinal health; and their impact on immune regulation, anti-inflammatory responses, and oxidative stress. Furthermore, we welcome contributions examining the intriguing gut–brain axis-mediated effects of these peptides on mood and cognitive function, as well as their therapeutic potential in managing heat stress and enhancing skin wound healing processes. This Special Issue seeks to advance our understanding of the mechanisms of action and the translational application of food-derived bioactive peptides in promoting systemic health and preventing chronic diseases.
Prof. Dr. He Li
Dr. Jianyin Miao
Dr. Dai Cheng
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-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nutrients 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 2900 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 peptides
- muscle health
- gut health
- immunomodulation
- inflammation
- gut–brain axis
- heat stress
- wound healing
- functional foods
- molecular mechanism
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