Plant-Based Bioactives and Sustainable Sources: Unlocking the Potential of Underutilized Resources

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to spotlight cutting-edge research on plant-based bioactive compounds derived from sustainable and underutilized sources, with a particular focus on the valorization of agricultural by-products. As the global demand for natural health-promoting ingredients rises, the exploration of novel, eco-friendly sources of bioactives has become a critical area of food chemistry and nutraceutical research.
We invite original research articles, reviews, and short communications that explore the identification, extraction, characterization, and application of bioactive peptides, polyphenols, and other phytochemicals from non-conventional plant materials, including food waste, wild plants, and agro-industrial residues.

Topics of Interest Include (but are not limited to) the following:

- Valorization of agricultural and food processing by-products as sources of bioactives;
- Extraction and purification techniques for plant-derived bioactive compounds;
- Bioactive peptides and polyphenols from underutilized or wild plant species;
- Functional and health-promoting properties of plant-based bioactives;
- Sustainable biorefinery approaches for bioactive recovery;
- In vitro and in vivo evaluation of bioactivity (e.g., antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial);
- Applications in functional foods, nutraceuticals, and cosmeceuticals;
- Environmental and economic assessments of sustainable bioactive sourcing.

Why This Special Issue?

This Special Issue aligns with the growing interest in sustainable food systems, circular bioeconomy, and natural health products. It will provide a platform for researchers to share innovations that not only advance our scientific understanding but also contribute to waste reduction, resource efficiency, and public health.

Dr. Ali Rashidinejad
Guest Editor

Dr. Mirja Kaizer Ahmmed
Guest Editor Assistant

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. Molecules 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.