Bioactive Compounds in Fruits and Foods—Properties and Applications

Dear Colleagues,

The consumption of fruits and foods is integral to a nutritious diet, serving as a vital source of bioactive compounds. A comprehensive comprehension of the health advantages associated with these consumables necessitates a thorough understanding of their composition. However, the intricate nature of these foods, coupled with variations in the concentrations of diverse bioactive compound families, renders their analysis challenging. It is imperative to employ suitable extraction procedures to procure characterization data that accurately reflect the bio accessibility of these compounds. Furthermore, the identification of bioactive compounds is essential to elucidating their functional mechanisms. This involves understanding their absorption by the human body, their distribution to target sites, the exertion of effects, and their subsequent metabolism and excretion. Undertaking clinical intervention studies in humans, coupled with the application of diverse analytical methodologies and statistical tools, emerges as a crucial approach to gleaning information from biological samples. This facilitates insights into the biomarkers associated with food consumption and the impact of dietary choices on disease biomarkers. Through these investigations, conclusions can be drawn regarding the health benefits attributed to the consumption of specific foods and fruits.

(1) Introduction, including scientific background and highlighting the importance of this research area.

The scientific exploration of bioactive compounds in fruits and foods is a critical facet of nutritional research, holding substantial implications for human health. These compounds, including polyphenols and vitamins, have demonstrated the potential to prevent chronic diseases. Understanding their bioaccessibility, or the ease with which the body can absorb them, requires precise extraction procedures. This Special Issue calls for original research and reviews to delve into this crucial intersection of food consumption, biomarkers, and disease outcomes, employing clinical studies and analytical tools. By doing so, we aim to deepen our understanding of how these compounds contribute to the health benefits associated with specific foods and fruits.

(2) Aim of the Special issue and how the subject relates to the journal scope

 The primary objective of this Special Issue is to disseminate in-depth research that employs suitable extraction procedures to assess the bioaccessibility of the bioactive compounds present in fruits and foods. Additionally, the studies within this Special Issue aim to investigate and comprehend the functional mechanisms of these compounds, with a specific focus on their absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion in the human body. Through the incorporation of clinical intervention studies, diverse analytical methodologies, and statistical tools, these investigations strive to clarify the intricate relationship between food consumption, biomarkers, and disease biomarkers. Ultimately, the aim of this Special Issue is to derive meaningful conclusions regarding the health benefits associated with the consumption of specific foods and fruits.

(3) Suggested themes and article types for submissions

This Special Issue welcomes the submission of both original research articles and reviews, encompassing a broad range of research areas. The scope of this Special Issue includes, but is not limited to, the following topics:

• Comprehensive studies on bioactive compounds in fruits and foods;
• Novel extraction procedures for evaluating bio accessibility;
• Investigations into the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of bioactive compounds;
• Clinical intervention studies exploring the impact of food consumption on biomarkers;
• The application of diverse analytical methodologies in the assessment of bioactive compounds;
• The utilization of statistical tools to analyze the relationships between food intake and health outcomes.

We look forward to receiving your valuable contributions to enhance the depth and breadth of this Special Issue.

Dr. Özkan Kaya
Prof. Dr. Harlene M. Hatterman-Valenti
Dr. Nurhan Keskin
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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• bioactive compounds
• dietary composition
• extraction procedures
• bioaccessibility
• functional mechanisms
• distribution
• metabolism
• analytical methodologies
• food consumption
• health benefits