New Trends in Extraction and Analysis of Bioactive Compounds from Plants

Submission Deadline: 31 January 2027 View: 195 Submit to Special Issue

Guest Editors

Prof. Dr. Andreea Stanila

Email: andreea.stanila@usamvcluj.ro

Affiliation: Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine (UASMV), Cluj-Napoca, Romania

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Research Interests: food chemistry, bioanorganic chemistry, analytical chemistry, biochemistry

Summary

Plants encompass a vast and diverse pool of bioactive compounds, 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.

The multiple beneficial effects of these compounds are already known, which include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, antidiabetic, and anticancer properties.

Plant-derived bioactive compounds are essential for the development of pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and functional foods. However, traditional extraction methods are often inefficient, time-consuming, and environmentally harmful. The industry and research communities are rapidly shifting toward green, sustainable, and efficient extraction techniques (e.g., SFE, UAE, MAE, DES). Simultaneously, modern analytical methods—such as hyphenated techniques (LC-MS, GC-MS, NMR) and untargeted metabolomics—are enabling faster, higher-resolution identification and quantification of these compounds. 

This Special Issue aims to gather original research and review articles highlighting the latest advancements in the extraction, characterization, and quantification of bioactive compounds, focusing on green chemistry principles, innovative methods to extract, identify, and quantify bioactive compounds from plant sources, improved yield, and high-throughput analysis. 

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
· Green Extraction Technologies: Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE), and pulsed electric field (PEF).
· Sustainable Solvents: Application of deep eutectic solvents (DES), ionic liquids, and water-based green solvents.
· Advanced Analytical Profiling: Hyphenated techniques (LC-HRMS, GC-MS), NMR spectroscopy, and metabolomics for structural elucidation and identification.
· Optimization and Modeling: Process optimization using response surface methodology (RSM) or artificial intelligence (AI).
· Application-Oriented Research: Extraction from by-products, food waste, and underutilized species for functional applications.
· Quality Control & Stability: Standardization, stability assessment, and bioavailability of plant-derived compounds. 

We invite researchers (phytochemists, analytical chemists, food scientists, pharmaceutical technologists, biotechnologists, researchers in natural products) to submit original research articles, reviews, and short communications that deepen our understanding of plant bioactive compounds and their potential in promoting human health.

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