Phytochemicals in plants have been extensively studied since the past decade as these phytochemicals have an impact on pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and functional food industries. Many of these secondary plant metabolites are explored from initial identification to advanced clinical research before officially being used as pharmaceutical and nutraceutical ingredients.

Despite the fact that there are many studies published on characterization of phytochemicals in different parts of plant, studies related to some indigenous species are lacking as well as their medicinal properties. Many plants are being neglected or underutilized due to their low popularity and lack of exploitation. However, some of these neglected plants have been traditionally used as food or as folk medicine.

The studies on neglected and underutilized plants have been emerging in the most recent year for sustaining biodiversity and consumer’s demand in this world. Hence, underutilized plants are important sources of phytochemicals and potent to be an alternative medicine for disease treatment. With this effort, we hope that research in phytochemicals and health properties of the underutilized plants could add value to them and increase their utilization.

Interconnection of phytochemicals to the beneficial role of a plant is emerging in this decade as the fundamental of pharmaceutical and nutritional research. In view of that, we would like to welcome authors to submit unpublished original research articles, as well as review articles to this Research Topic on “Phytochemicals and Nutritional Properties of Underutilized Plants”. Manuscripts on particle interest, including extraction and identification of phytochemicals corresponded to the beneficial roles of the underutilized plants e.g. polyphenols, carotenoids, alkaloids, phytosterols, and terpenoids, are welcomed.

Potential themes include, but are not limited to:
• Edible or inedible underutilized plants that have not been explored
• Qualitative and quantitative analysis of phytochemicals in underutilized plants
• Phytochemicals analysis with related bioactivities
• Phytochemicals and medicinal potential that have not been reported in different parts of underuti-lized plants

Keywords: Phytochemicals, Nutritional properties, Underutilized plants, Biological activities, Health benefits

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.