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Cutting-Edge Advances in Natural Bioactive Compounds
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Cutting-Edge Advances in Natural Bioactive Compounds

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Bioactives and Nutraceuticals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 December 2025) | Viewed by 4575

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Luisa M. P. F. Amaral

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
REQUIMTE/LAQV, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
Interests: bioactive compounds; drug membrane interactions; insulin-like V and Zn compounds; calorimetry; thermochemistry
Dr. Romeu A. Videira

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
REQUIMTE/LAQV, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, nº 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
Interests: natural products; nanomedicine; functional lipidomics; bioenergetic metabolism and cell redox state relationship; degenerative brain diseases; mitochondria-targeted therapy

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Natural bioactive compounds, sourced from plants, marine organisms, and microorganisms, have been at the forefront of scientific research due to their diverse range of biological activities and potential applications across various fields. In recent decades, scientific advancements have highlighted the important role of natural bioactive compounds in health and disease. Many natural bioactive compounds have demonstrated potential as preventive and therapeutic agents for a wide range of human diseases. As a result, natural bioactive compound-based research is driving innovation in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and agri-food. In fact, research focusing on natural bioactive compounds is essential for new drug discovery as well as for the development of cutting-edge nutraceuticals and bioactive food products. It also plays a critical role in enhancing the effectiveness and safety of various products available on the market. Despite this, to unlock the full potential of natural bioactive compounds, further research is crucial to enhance our understanding of their mechanisms of action, bioavailability for target cells and tissues based on the administration route, and to optimize the effectiveness, economic viability, and environmental sustainability of the methodologies used for their extraction from natural sources. This Special Issue aims to highlight the latest advances in the field of natural bioactive compounds, from basic research to innovative advanced applications.

To this end, we welcome original research articles, reviews, and short communications that delve into (but are not limited to) the following areas:

  • Discovery of novel bioactive compounds: Innovative methodologies for extraction, isolation, and structural elucidation of bioactive compounds from their natural sources.
  • Sustainable extraction methodologies and chemical characterization of extracts rich in bioactive compounds: development of economically and environmentally sustainable methodologies for preparing extracts rich in bioactive compounds and advanced analytical methods for their chemical characterization and standardization.
  • Biological Activities: Studies on the pharmacological, therapeutic, and health-promoting effects of natural bioactive compounds.
  • Mechanisms of Action: Research uncovering the molecular pathways and targets influenced by the biological activity of bioactive compounds.
  • Applications in Medicine and Health: Development of new drugs, nutraceuticals, food supplements, and other health products supported by natural bioactive compounds.
  • Agricultural Uses: Role of natural bioactive compounds in pest control, plant growth, and crop protection.
  • Cosmetic Applications: Innovations in skincare and beauty products incorporating natural bioactive compounds.
  • Safety and Toxicology: Assessment of the toxicological and safety profiles of bioactive compounds individually or in mixtures.

Dr. Luisa M. P. F. Amaral
Dr. Romeu A. Videira
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. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. 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 bioactive compounds
  • discovery and isolation
  • chemical characterization
  • biological activities
  • mechanisms of action
  • pharmaceuticals
  • nutraceuticals
  • agricultural applications
  • cosmetic innovations

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

27 pages, 2777 KB  
Article
The Fortification of Fruit Mousses with Encapsulated Bioactive Compounds in a Potato Starch Matrix as an Example of Novel Functional Foods
by Magdalena Krystyjan, Gohar Khachatryan, Karen Khachatryan, Anna Lenart-Boroń, Robert Socha and Zuzanna Potoniec
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(2), 1106; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27021106 - 22 Jan 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 525
Abstract
The increasing consumption of highly processed foods has resulted in a reduced intake of essential vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds, thereby intensifying interest in the development of functional food. This study aimed to enrich fruit mousses with bioactive compounds derived from elderberry extract [...] Read more.
The increasing consumption of highly processed foods has resulted in a reduced intake of essential vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds, thereby intensifying interest in the development of functional food. This study aimed to enrich fruit mousses with bioactive compounds derived from elderberry extract using an encapsulation strategy. Three formulations were prepared: a control mousse, a mousse enriched via direct addition of the extract, and a mousse supplemented with a nanoemulsion. Comprehensive analyses, including SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy), FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy), colorimetry, texture and rheological measurements, phenolic acid and flavonoid content, antioxidant and reducing activity, sensory evaluation, and microbiological assessment, confirmed the successful formation of submicron capsules (400–900 nm), effective incorporation of grape seed oil into the fruit mousse formulations, and minimal color alteration (ΔE* < 1). The enriched mousses exhibited slightly higher hardness (7.5%) and adhesiveness (5.4%) as well as enhanced antioxidant and reducing activity compared to the control. Rheological analyses indicated improved structural stability resulting from fortification. Sensory evaluation demonstrated good consumer acceptance, while microbiological analyses suggested a potential shelf-life extension due to inhibited microbial growth. Overall, encapsulation proved to be an effective approach for incorporating elderberry-derived bioactive substances into fruit mousses while preserving product quality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cutting-Edge Advances in Natural Bioactive Compounds)
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14 pages, 2882 KB  
Article
Metabolomic Profile of Açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart., Euterpe precatoria Mart.), Mirití (Mauritia flexuosa L.), and Cupuassu (Theobroma grandiflorum (Wild. ex Spreng.) Schum) from Colombian Amazon: Insights into Nutritional Composition and Ripening Dynamics
by Manuel Salvador Rodríguez, Aida Juliana Martínez León, Lina Sabrina Porras, Iván Alejandro Giraldo, Esmeralda Rojas, Fredy Eduardo Lavao and Kaoma Martínez
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(1), 410; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27010410 - 30 Dec 2025
Viewed by 636
Abstract
Amazonian fruits are increasingly recognized for their functional properties due to their rich composition of bioactive metabolites. While species such as Euterpe oleracea Mart., Euterpe precatoria Mart., Mauritia flexuosa L., and Theobroma grandiflorum (Wild. ex Spreng.) have been extensively studied in countries like [...] Read more.
Amazonian fruits are increasingly recognized for their functional properties due to their rich composition of bioactive metabolites. While species such as Euterpe oleracea Mart., Euterpe precatoria Mart., Mauritia flexuosa L., and Theobroma grandiflorum (Wild. ex Spreng.) have been extensively studied in countries like Brazil, research on these fruits in Colombia remains limited. This study aimed to characterize the secondary metabolites in freeze-dried pulp and seed samples of açaí, mirití, and cupuassu at different ripening stages, collected in Mitú (Vaupés, Colombia). Eleven samples of different fruits were collected and analyzed by untargeted metabolomics. Untargeted metabolomic profile was performed using LC-QTOF-MS and GC-QTOF-MS techniques. The pulp of M. flexuosa showed high concentrations of galacturonic acid. In T. grandiflorum, both pulp and seeds contained significant levels of galactose and citric acid. Notably, flavonoids such as fisetin and kaempferol-O-rutinoside were abundant in the pulp of E. oleracea and E. precatoria. Additionally, quinic acid and mannitol were detected in the unripe stages of Euterpe and Mauritia species. The diverse profile of secondary metabolites identified in these Colombian Amazonian fruits underscores their functional and nutritional potential. These findings support further exploration of native species for food, nutraceutical, and industrial applications, contributing to the valorization of Amazonian biodiversity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cutting-Edge Advances in Natural Bioactive Compounds)
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27 pages, 2064 KB  
Article
Antioxidant Activity, Total Polyphenol Content, and Mineral Composition of Milk Beverages Fortified with Spice Mixtures (Clove, Cinnamon, and Turmeric) and Natural Sweeteners (Erythritol and Stevia): Evidence of Synergistic or Antagonistic Effects of Compounds
by Karolina Rak, Joanna Kolniak-Ostek, Robert Gajda, Katarzyna Marcinkiewicz, Agnieszka Nemś and Ewa Raczkowska
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(18), 8813; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26188813 - 10 Sep 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2805
Abstract
Extensive research is underway on a variety of functional foods that support consumer health. A promising combination is milk (a drink with high nutritional value), fortified with spices (naturally rich in antioxidant compounds) and supplemented with low-calorie, health-promoting sweeteners. The aim was to [...] Read more.
Extensive research is underway on a variety of functional foods that support consumer health. A promising combination is milk (a drink with high nutritional value), fortified with spices (naturally rich in antioxidant compounds) and supplemented with low-calorie, health-promoting sweeteners. The aim was to analyze the antioxidant activity (AA), total polyphenol content (TPC), and mineral composition of milk beverages fortified with a mixture of spices and sweeteners and to verify the interactions between these ingredients. Twenty-four variants of milk drinks were prepared with the addition of three types of spice mixtures (1:1) of clove (Cl), cinnamon (Ci), and turmeric (Tu) with the shares of 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, and 10%, and two types of sweeteners—erythritol (E) and stevia (S)—as well as six control samples, including three 10% aqueous solutions of spice mixtures. AA was measured using the ABTS, FRAP, and DPPH methods. TPC was determined using the Folin–Ciocalteu method. Mineral content (Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, and Zn) was assessed using the FAAS/FAES method. The highest AA was demonstrated for beverages with Cl-Ci and Cl-Tu, whereas the highest TPC was found in those with Cl-Tu. AA and TPC values increased with the increase in the share of spices in the beverages, and both measurements were significantly higher in beverages with erythritol compared to those with stevia. Despite the 4–5 times lower TPC, 3–8 times higher AA was demonstrated in beverages with the addition of 10% spice mixtures than their corresponding control samples (aqueous solutions with the addition of 10% spice mixtures), which suggests the great role of interactions between nutrients in food. For beverages with 10% Cl-Ci/Cl-Tu mixtures, significantly higher ABTS, FRAP, and DPPH were observed than would result from the simple sum of AA of the components (synergistic effect). The opposite (antagonistic) effect was observed for beverages with Ci-Tu. AA was positively correlated with the content of Fe, Mg, and Cu; negatively with Ca; and not correlated with Zn. The results suggest that the most health-promoting properties are exhibited by the milk drink with the addition of 10% Cl-Tu and erythritol, demonstrating the highest AA and TPC, the strongest synergistic effect of the components, and the highest content of Mg and Zn. This study highlights the importance of carefully selecting and combining ingredients to maximize the antioxidant properties of functional beverages. However, further research is needed to expand knowledge on this issue. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cutting-Edge Advances in Natural Bioactive Compounds)
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