Polysaccharides and Bioactive Compounds for Health and Nutrition - Extraction, Isolation, Bioactivity and Innovative Applications

Polysaccharides and other food-derived bioactive compounds are attracting growing attention in nutrition science because of their potential to modulate oxidative stress, inflammation, metabolism, gut health, and other processes relevant to human health. Recent research has expanded beyond single-compound discovery toward a more integrated view that connects source materials, extraction and isolation methods, structural characterization, bioaccessibility, and functionality in foods. At the same time, there is strong interest in sustainable sourcing from native biodiversity, unconventional edible plants, and agri-food by-products, reflecting the rise of circular economy approaches in food and nutrition research.This Research Topic aims to gather high-quality studies on polysaccharides and other nutritionally relevant bioactive compounds, including polyphenols, bioactive lipids, and related phytochemicals, with clear relevance to food and human nutrition. We welcome contributions that advance understanding of how these compounds are obtained, characterized, incorporated into foods, and evaluated for their individual biological activity, stability, and potential health benefits. Emphasis will be placed on multidisciplinary work linking food chemistry, nutrition, functional food development, metabolic and systemic health, and sustainable innovation.Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:• Green, efficient, and scalable extraction and isolation strategies for polysaccharides and other food bioactives• Structure-function relationships of individual bioactive compounds, including physicochemical characterization and links to bioactivity• Bioaccessibility, bioavailability, and mechanisms of action in in vitro, in vivo, and human nutrition-relevant models• Applications in functional foods, nutraceuticals, and food-grade delivery systems to improve stability and efficacy of individual bioactive ingredients• Valorization of native resources and agri-food by-products as sustainable sources of health-promoting ingredients Topic editors: Rita Alves, Anderson Junger Teodoro, Barbara Elisabeth Teixeira-Costa Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/80669/polysaccharides-and-bioactive-compounds-for-health-and-nutrition---extraction-isolation-bioactivity-and-innovative-applications