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Research on Nutritional and Bioactive Compounds from Edible Fruits
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Research on Nutritional and Bioactive Compounds from Edible Fruits

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Phytochemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2025) | Viewed by 8029

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. João Paulo Fabi

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Guest Editor
Department of Food Science and Experimental Nutrition, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508000, Brazil
Interests: anticancer; colon cancer; bioactive compounds; nanoparticles; nanotechnology; pectin; bioactive polysaccharides.
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to present this Special Issue on research on nutritional and bioactive compounds from edible fruits. Many edible fruits are good sources of dietary nutrients and bioactive compounds that help prevent diverse diseases. Therefore, the health benefits associated with healthy fruit consumption have attracted increasing attention.

In this issue, we will focus on the progress of research on the nutritional value, active ingredients, and bioactive compounds of edible fruits from a phytochemical perspective. We will also focus on the biosynthesis, extraction, separation, identification, and analytical methods of the bioactive and nutritional components present in edible fruits. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Biochemical pathways/biosynthesis of dietary components or bioactive components from edible fruits;
  • Analysis of bioactive components from edible fruits;
  • Extraction and characterization of bioactive components from edible fruits;
  • Analytical evaluation of nutritional properties of edible fruits;
  • Benefits and nutritional value of edible fruits to human health.

Prof. Dr. João Paulo Fabi
Guest Editor

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. Plants 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

  • biosynthesis
  • green technologies
  • edible fruits
  • nutritional quality
  • bioactive compounds
  • chemical constituents
  • natural compounds
  • profiling
  • extraction
  • isolation
  • analysis
  • fingerprinting
  • health benefits

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 3405 KB  
Article
Application of a Novel Formulation of 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic Acid (ACC) to Increase the Anthocyanins Concentration in Table Grape Berries
by Aline Cristina de Aguiar, Danielle Mieko Sakai, Bianca Liriel Martins Barbosa, Stefanie do Prado da Silva, Fábio Yamashita and Sergio Ruffo Roberto
Plants 2025, 14(7), 1058; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14071058 - 29 Mar 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 827
Abstract
The objective of this work was to assess different concentrations of a novel formulation of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) on anthocyanin accumulation and color development, as well as on the physicochemical characteristics of the ‘Benitaka’ table grape grown in a subtropical region in two [...] Read more.
The objective of this work was to assess different concentrations of a novel formulation of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) on anthocyanin accumulation and color development, as well as on the physicochemical characteristics of the ‘Benitaka’ table grape grown in a subtropical region in two application forms. The trial was conducted on a commercial property located in a subtropical area in Brazil in 2022. Treatments included different concentrations of a new formulation containing 400 g kg−1 of ACC, ranging from 0 to 125 g 100 L−1, as well as a standard concentration of a formulation containing 100 g L−1 of abscisic acid (S-ABA): 3.2 L ha−1. The exogenous application of ACC was performed at the beginning of berry ripening (véraison), while that of S-ABA was performed twice: the first, at véraison, and the second, 7 days later. The concentration of total anthocyanins, berry color index, physicochemical characteristics, and sensory–visual analysis of color coverage of the bunches were evaluated weekly, while berry firmness was appraised at harvest. A single exogenous application of ACC or two applications of S-ABA resulted in daily increment rates that provided a high accumulation of total anthocyanins, as well as greater berry color development, regardless of the application method, directed to the canopy of the vines or only to the bunches. As a result, the new formulation of ACC at concentrations of 75 g to 100 g 100 L−1 is a novel tool to stimulate the anthocyanins accumulation and berry color development in ‘Benitaka’ table grapes grown in subtropical regions without negative impact on bunches or vines. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Nutritional and Bioactive Compounds from Edible Fruits)
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Review

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36 pages, 2586 KB  
Review
Exploring Bioactive Polysaccharides in Edible Fruits: A Cross-Biome Perspective
by Karen Rebouças Nascimento, Leandro Teodoro Júnior, Mari Cleide Sogayar and João Paulo Fabi
Plants 2025, 14(22), 3515; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14223515 - 18 Nov 2025
Viewed by 950
Abstract
The present work consisted of a comparative analysis, followed by an extensive narrative literature review, of the structural profiles of bioactive polysaccharides from edible fruits representing different terrestrial biomes, relating them—with a focus on their monosaccharide fractions—to the abiotic variables of each biome, [...] Read more.
The present work consisted of a comparative analysis, followed by an extensive narrative literature review, of the structural profiles of bioactive polysaccharides from edible fruits representing different terrestrial biomes, relating them—with a focus on their monosaccharide fractions—to the abiotic variables of each biome, such as temperature, rainfall, annual water regimes, and physicochemical characteristics of the soil to provide an accurate landscape regarding the patterns and divergences surrounding the development of edible fruits around the world. The present review also provided a focus on the various analytical methods used to obtain data related to the glycosidic profile of the analyzed edible fruits, allowing for a comparison of issues relating to the biomes and the quantitative composition of the existing polysaccharides, together with the associated macromolecular parameters, such as degree of esterification, branching, and average molecular weight. From the analysis performed, recurrences of characteristics were identified in different biomes, such as high concentrations of galacturonic acid and arabinose in fruits from cold regions; abundance of xyloarabinan and galactan in fruits from arid areas; and greater branching, acetylation, and a lower degree of esterification in fruits subject to water variations that favor water retention and cell wall stability. These profiles suggest a strong association between the structure of polysaccharides and ecological adaptations that are crucial for their full development. The insights presented here are of the utmost importance in both basic and applied food science, indicating possible structural targets for selecting and engineering resistance in edible fruits under various abiotic stress conditions and guiding and providing direction for experimental studies that extend beyond classical methodologies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Nutritional and Bioactive Compounds from Edible Fruits)
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25 pages, 1375 KB  
Review
Momordica charantia L.: Functional Health Benefits and Uses in the Food Industry
by Lucian Vasile Bara, Ruben Budau, Alexandru Ioan Apahidean, Camelia Mihaela Bara, Carmen Violeta Iancu, Eugen Traian Jude, Gabriel Remus Cheregi, Adrian Vasile Timar, Mariana Florica Bei, Ionel Marius Osvat and Daniela Domocos
Plants 2025, 14(17), 2642; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14172642 - 25 Aug 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 5676
Abstract
Natural bioactive compounds found in Momordica charantia including polysaccharides, saponins, polyphenols, alkaloids, and notably polypeptide-p (often referred to as “plant insulin”)—have shown promising potential in shaping nutritional and therapeutic strategies for managing diabetes, metabolic disorders, and other nutrition-related diseases. Both retrospective and prospective [...] Read more.
Natural bioactive compounds found in Momordica charantia including polysaccharides, saponins, polyphenols, alkaloids, and notably polypeptide-p (often referred to as “plant insulin”)—have shown promising potential in shaping nutritional and therapeutic strategies for managing diabetes, metabolic disorders, and other nutrition-related diseases. Both retrospective and prospective analyses of bitter gourd’s functional properties such as its antioxidant, antitumor, immunomodulatory, and antibacterial effects highlight its innovative use as a food ingredient in developing targeted nutritional therapies. Assessing its applicability in the food industry, particularly through the fortification of products with bitter gourd powders, pulp, juice, or extracts, could enhance consumer acceptance and elevate the perceived quality of nutritionally superior foods. The nutrifunctional attributes revealed by its nutritional profile support the strategic integration of bitter gourd into various food formulations, contributing to a broader and more diverse range of dietary options. This diversification is especially valuable in addressing the dietary monotony often associated with diabetic nutrition plans, which continue to present significant challenges. The foundation laid by this review drawing on both theoretical insights and practical applications serves as a springboard for future research into the fortifying potential of bitter gourd-based preparations. Ultimately, such products may be recommended not only as nutritional supplements but also as part of clinical and hygienic-dietetic practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Nutritional and Bioactive Compounds from Edible Fruits)
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