About this Research Topic

Background

The field of special dietary needs, particularly focusing on plant and fungal metabolites and extracts, is at the intersection of pharmacology and nutrition. Plants contain secondary metabolites with significant biological activity, making them valuable in dietetic foods, nutraceuticals, food supplements, and medicines. Recent studies have shown that bioactive compounds from plants can reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer and diabetes, improve heart health, preserve brain function, and support gut health. Despite the identification of numerous bioactive compounds in grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, mushrooms, and herbs, many remain unknown. Understanding the health benefits of dietary phytochemicals requires comprehensive identification and characterization of these compounds. Current research highlights the complementary mechanisms of action among various phytochemicals and the importance of plant-derived antioxidants, which possess anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-aging, anti-microbial, and anti-cancer properties. The food industry has also seen a shift towards green extraction techniques, which are more efficient and environmentally friendly compared to traditional methods. However, there is a need for further validation of analytical approaches to fully harness the potential of plant extracts in reducing non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

This Research Topic aims to explore the role of plant and fungal metabolites and extracts in the formulation of foods for special dietary needs, focusing on their pharmacological and nutritional benefits. The main objectives include identifying and characterizing bioactive compounds, understanding their health benefits, and developing innovative extraction and production methods. Specific questions to be addressed include: What are the most effective extraction techniques for isolating bioactive compounds? How do these compounds contribute to disease prevention and management? What are the potential applications of these compounds in functional foods and dietary supplements?

To gather further insights into the boundaries of this research, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
• Conventional and modern technologies for extraction and isolation of bioactive compounds from plant materials.
• Functionality and properties of bioactive compounds and ingredients from plants.
• Health benefits of plant-derived bioactive compounds.
• Digestibility studies, allergenic potential analysis, and food safety studies.
• Production methods and innovation in the formulation of plant-based food for consumers with specific dietary needs.
• Innovative technologies used for the development of dietary foods.
• Sensorial quality of foods for specific dietary needs.
• Future trends in plant-based food and alternatives.

Manuscripts submitted to the Ethnopharmacology section in Frontiers in Pharmacology need to comply with the best practice guidelines of the section if plant extracts are investigated including the Four Pillars of Best Practice in Ethnopharmacology. A detailed description of the material studied, its extraction, and processing is essential. You can freely download the full version here. Please self-assess your manuscript using the ConPhyMP tool, and follow the standards established in the ConPhyMP statement Front. Pharmacol. 13:953205.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Food Allergy, Medical Food, Characterization, Green Extraction, Health Effects, Functional Food, Plant-based Food Alternatives, Plant-derived Bioactive Molecules, Special Dietary Needs

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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