Natural bioactive compounds and plant extracts are comprised of small quantities of extra nutritional constituents providing both health benefits and enhanced nutritional value, based on their ability to modulate one or more metabolic processes. Plant-based diets are being thoroughly researched for their cardiovascular properties and effectiveness against cancer. Flavonoids, phytoestrogens, phenolic compounds, and carotenoids are some of the bioactive compounds that aim to work in preventing and treating the diseases in a systemic manner, including hypertension, atherosclerosis, and heart failure. Since they are obtained from renewable sources, they are not hazardous to health, and can sometimes even have a curative effect. Furthermore, the use of natural dyes does not pose any problems with regard to the disposal of the product. Their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties are the most important characteristics that make them favorable candidates for the treatment of various diseases.

However, their low water solubility and stability result in low bioavailability, limited accessibility, and poor absorption. The oral delivery of bioactive compounds is constrained due to physiological barriers such as the pH, mucus layer, gastrointestinal enzymes, epithelium, etc.

This Special Issue will explore various aspects of natural bioactive compounds, including their sources, photochemistry, and associated biological activities explored under in-vitro and in-vivo animal and human studies. A particular focus is given on innovative technological approaches for the effective extraction of bioactive compounds for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications. We welcome original research and review articles.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Extraction of plant compounds
• Purification of plant compounds
• Characterization of plant extracts
• Identification of bioactive compounds
• Biological properties of plant compounds/extracts
• Applications of plant bioactive compounds
• Bioactive components in fruits and vegetables
• Extraction of bioactive compounds: conventional and green extraction techniques
• Phytochemicals from fruit wastes for sustainable and socially acceptable poultry production
• Pharmacological activities of bioactive compounds
• Bioactive compounds and health claims
• Bioactive compounds as natural antioxidants
• Chemical characterization of bioactive compounds
• Quality and stability measurements of bioactive compounds
• Bioactive compounds as functional foods