Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
4.5
2.7
Journals
Separations
Special Issues
Advances in the Analysis of Bioactive Plant Extracts: Separation Techniques...
share announcement

Advances in the Analysis of Bioactive Plant Extracts: Separation Techniques and Their Applications

A special issue of Separations (ISSN 2297-8739). This special issue belongs to the section "Analysis of Natural Products and Pharmaceuticals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 July 2026 | Viewed by 5044

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Saša Savić

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Technology, Department of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Nis, Leskovac, Serbia
Interests: food analysis; phytochemistry; enzyme; biotechnology; LC-MS/MS; antioxidant activity
Dr. Sanja Petrovic

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Technology, Department of Organic and Technological Sciences, University of Nis, Leskovac, Serbia
Interests: chemistry of natural organic compounds; chemical kinetics; ICP-OES; photochemistry; dietary supplements; nanomaterials
Prof. Dr. Zorica Knežević-Jugović

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Interests: enzyme reaction engineering; biocatalysis; biotransformation; design and optimization of enzyme transformations of natural compounds; modeling of bioprocesses; plant proteins; bioactive peptides; enzymatic-assisted extraction; intensification of bioactive compound extraction; immobilized enzymes; encapsulation of bioactive compounds
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Natural products remain an abundant source of structurally diverse and biologically active compounds with potential pharmaceutical applications. With the continuous advancement of analytical methodologies, the quantification, identification, and characterization of constituents derived from natural sources have become more accurate and efficient. This Special Issue aims to gather original research and review articles focusing on the latest analytical approaches applied to natural products and pharmaceuticals, including innovative chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques and hyphenated methods (e.g., LC-MS, GC-MS, NMR). Emphasis will also be placed on the standardization, quality control, stability, and bioavailability of plant-derived compounds, as well as the challenges and solutions in metabolite profiling and analytical validation. We warmly invite contributions from scientists working across the fields of pharmaceutical analysis, natural product chemistry, and bioactive compound research.

Dr. Saša Savić
Dr. Sanja Petrovic
Prof. Dr. Zorica Knežević-Jugović
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. Separations is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 2600 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

  • natural products
  • pharmaceutical analysis
  • bioactive compounds
  • chromatographic techniques
  • spectroscopic methods
  • LC-MS/ICP-OES/GC-MS/NMR
  • metabolite profiling
  • stability testing and quality control

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

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

Published Papers (4 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

16 pages, 3975 KB  
Article
Recovery of Bioactive Extracts from Cistus creticus Using Supercritical CO2
by Maria Chiliou, Vasiliki Louli and Kostis Magoulas
Separations 2026, 13(3), 79; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations13030079 - 28 Feb 2026
Viewed by 275
Abstract
Cistus creticus is a species of the Cistus family that exhibits a wide range of bioactivities; therefore, its oil recovery using a green extraction method is of significant importance for both academic research and industrial applications. Thus, the objective of this work is [...] Read more.
Cistus creticus is a species of the Cistus family that exhibits a wide range of bioactivities; therefore, its oil recovery using a green extraction method is of significant importance for both academic research and industrial applications. Thus, the objective of this work is cistus oil recovery by supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) with CO2. To this end, the effect of various process parameters, namely extraction pressure (110–250 bar), extraction temperature (40–60 °C), and solvent flow rate (1–3 kg/h), on the yield of the process was examined. It was shown that an increase in temperature, and particularly in pressure, positively affects the yield, while the flow rate increase mainly enhances the extraction rate. Hence, the highest yield (8.58% wt) was obtained at 60 °C, 250 bar, and 3 kg/h after 150 min of extraction. Furthermore, the experimental data regarding the kinetics of SFE were correlated successfully by a mass balance model based on Lack’s plug flow model. In addition, the comparison of SFE extracts obtained under intermediate conditions with the essential oil produced by hydrodistillation revealed the extraction of heavier compounds, notably a high content of linoleic acid. Finally, the addition of a small amount of co-solvent (5% wt ethanol) to the SFE process enhanced yield (9.53% wt) as well as antioxidant activity (IC50 = 95.4 mgextract/mL) and total phenolic content of the extract (23.2 mgGAE/gextract). Thus, SFE could become a promising alternative to conventional extraction with ethanol, which exhibited the highest yield (28.5% wt) and a high antioxidant activity (IC50 = 3.2 mgextract/mL), given SFE’s shorter extraction duration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Analysis of Bioactive Plant Extracts: Separation Techniques and Their Applications)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 386 KB  
Article
Flavonoid Characterization of Primula vulgaris Growing in the Biodiversity Hotspot of Prespa Lake Region (NW Greece)
by Elli Katsouli, Konstantia Graikou, Evgenia Panou, Nikolas Fokialakis and Ioanna Chinou
Separations 2026, 13(2), 54; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations13020054 - 2 Feb 2026
Viewed by 424
Abstract
Primula vulgaris Huds., one of the 33 Primula L. species native to Europe, occurs across diverse habitats, including the biodiversity hotspot of the Prespa Lake region (NW Greece). Building on previous phytochemical studies, the present work provides the first detailed characterization of flavonoids [...] Read more.
Primula vulgaris Huds., one of the 33 Primula L. species native to Europe, occurs across diverse habitats, including the biodiversity hotspot of the Prespa Lake region (NW Greece). Building on previous phytochemical studies, the present work provides the first detailed characterization of flavonoids from the aerial parts of the species growing wild in the area. Using classical chromatographic separation methods combined with spectrometric techniques, seven metabolites were isolated and structurally elucidated from the dichloromethane and methanol extracts. These included flavone (1), 2′-methoxyflavone (2), 3′-methoxyflavone (3), 3′-hydroxy-4′,5′-dimethoxyflavone (4), kaempferol-3-O-β-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-glucopyranoside (6), 3′-hydroxyflavone-4′-O-β-glucopyranoside (7) and 5,6,2′,3′,6′-pentamethoxyflavone (5), which was reported for the first time in this species. Additionally, the total phenolic content (TPC) of the methanol extract was determined using the Folin–Ciocalteu method, demonstrating 46.46 ± 2.48 mg GAE/g extract, while through the DPPH radical scavenging assay, it expressed moderate activity. Overall, these results provide novel insights into the flavonoid composition of Greek P. vulgaris and support its potential for further pharmacological investigations and herbal applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Analysis of Bioactive Plant Extracts: Separation Techniques and Their Applications)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 2597 KB  
Article
Valorization of the Bioactive Potential of Juniperus communis L. Berry Extracts Using a Box–Behnken Design and Characterization of Kernel Oil Compounds
by Theofania Tsitsirigka, Dimitrios Kalompatsios, Vassilis Athanasiadis, Eleni Bozinou, Athanassios I. Sfougaris and Stavros I. Lalas
Separations 2025, 12(8), 209; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations12080209 - 11 Aug 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3111
Abstract
This study presents a comprehensive valorization of Juniperus communis L., a plant known for its culinary and therapeutic applications. Juniper berries are rich in antioxidant compounds such as polyphenols and ascorbic acid, while their kernels contain volatile terpenes with notable pharmaceutical properties. We [...] Read more.
This study presents a comprehensive valorization of Juniperus communis L., a plant known for its culinary and therapeutic applications. Juniper berries are rich in antioxidant compounds such as polyphenols and ascorbic acid, while their kernels contain volatile terpenes with notable pharmaceutical properties. We optimized extraction parameters through stirring extraction (1:20 g/mL solid-to-solvent ratio, 55% v/v aqueous ethanol, 80 °C, 30 min) and response surface methodology via a Box–Behnken design. The optimal conditions—55% v/v aqueous ethanol at 80 °C for 30 min—yielded a high polyphenol content of 55.11 ± 1.54 mg GAE/g of defatted dry weight. Antioxidant capacity was confirmed through ferric-reducing and radical-scavenging assays, and 11 individual polyphenols (totaling 5.41 ± 0.27 mg/g) were quantified using a validated HPLC-DAD method. Additionally, this study identified several bioactive compounds in juniper berry raw kernel oil, which exhibited a high oleic acid content (58.75 ± 2.76%)—a nutritionally valuable fatty acid contributing to the oil’s strong radical-scavenging activity (399.83 ± 34.18 µmol Trolox equivalents/kg oil). GC–MS analysis revealed 58 volatile compounds, underscoring the terpene-rich profile of the oil and its influence on antioxidant potential and aroma. These findings underscore the dual valorization of juniper berry fruit and kernel for both medicinal and food industries. The aromatic kernel oil and polyphenol-rich extracts offer natural alternatives to synthetic antioxidants, with added benefits of flavor enhancement and promotion of health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Analysis of Bioactive Plant Extracts: Separation Techniques and Their Applications)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Review

Jump to: Research

41 pages, 1578 KB  
Review
Separation Strategies for Polyphenols from Plant Extracts: Advances, Challenges, and Applications
by Sasa Savic, Sanja Petrovic and Zorica Knezevic-Jugovic
Separations 2026, 13(2), 46; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations13020046 - 27 Jan 2026
Viewed by 819
Abstract
Polyphenols are a structurally diverse group of plant secondary metabolites widely recognized for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and chemoprotective properties, which have stimulated their extensive use in food, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetic products. However, their chemical heterogeneity, wide polarity range, and strong interactions [...] Read more.
Polyphenols are a structurally diverse group of plant secondary metabolites widely recognized for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and chemoprotective properties, which have stimulated their extensive use in food, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetic products. However, their chemical heterogeneity, wide polarity range, and strong interactions with plant matrices pose major challenges for efficient extraction, separation, and reliable analytical characterization. This review provides a critical overview of contemporary strategies for the extraction, separation, and identification of polyphenols from plant-derived matrices. Conventional extraction methods, including maceration, Soxhlet extraction, and percolation, are discussed alongside modern green technologies such as ultrasound-assisted extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, pressurized liquid extraction, and supercritical fluid extraction. Particular emphasis is placed on environmentally friendly solvents, including ethanol, natural deep eutectic solvents, and ionic liquids, as sustainable alternatives that improve extraction efficiency while reducing environmental impact. The review further highlights chromatographic separation approaches—partition, adsorption, ion-exchange, size-exclusion, and affinity chromatography—and underlines the importance of hyphenated analytical platforms (LC–MS, LC–MS/MS, and LC–NMR) for comprehensive polyphenol profiling. Key analytical challenges, including matrix effects, compound instability, and limited availability of reference standards, are addressed, together with perspectives on industrial implementation, quality control, and standardization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Analysis of Bioactive Plant Extracts: Separation Techniques and Their Applications)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-4
Back to TopTop