Plant Bioactives Compounds: From Phytochemical Diversity to Human Health-Mechanisms, Bioavailability, and Applications
A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Phytochemistry".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026 | Viewed by 158
Special Issue Editor
Interests: food chemistry; bioinorganic chemistry; analytical chemistry; biochemistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Plants encompass a vast and diverse reservoir of bioactive compounds, including polyphenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins, terpenes, and alkaloids, which play crucial roles in plant defense and human health. In recent years, the study of these compounds has evolved from basic phytochemical characterization to applied research focused on improving bioavailability, stability, and biological efficacy.
A growing body of evidence highlights the multiple health-promoting effects of plant bioactives, which include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, antidiabetic, and anticancer properties. These compounds modulate key biochemical pathways, such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis, and can influence gut microbiota composition, lipid metabolism, and glucose regulation. Understanding their mechanisms of action at molecular and cellular levels supports the development of novel preventive and therapeutic strategies for chronic diseases.
Moreover, current efforts to integrate eco-friendly extraction techniques, sustainable agricultural practices, and advanced analytical methods align with the global demand for natural, safe, and health-promoting products. Translating phytochemical diversity into functional foods, dietary supplements, and pharmacological leads represents one of the most promising directions in plant-based biochemistry and human nutrition.
This Special Issue aims to gather the latest findings on the identification, quantification, and biological evaluation of plant-derived bioactive compounds. In particular, submissions addressing structure–activity relationships, in vitro and in vivo biological effects, and technological innovations for enhancing the bioavailability and stability of these compounds are welcome.
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
- Phytochemical profiling and metabolomic studies of medicinal and edible plants
- Stability and degradation of polyphenols and pigments during processing and storage
- Mechanistic insights into antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer effects
- Effects of plant bioactives on gut microbiota modulation, metabolic health, and immune function
- Advances in extraction, purification, and analytical techniques for bioactive compounds
- Functional foods and nutraceutical formulations enriched with plant bioactives
- Bioavailability, metabolism, and delivery systems for enhancing the efficacy of phytochemicals
- Applications of sustainable and green technologies in plant bioactive research
We invite researchers to submit original research articles, reviews, and short communications that deepen our understanding of plant bioactives and their potential in promoting human health and preventing disease.
Prof. Dr. Andreea Stănilă
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
- phytochemicals
- antioxidants
- bioactive compounds
- health benefits
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