Exploring beneficial effects of bioactive compounds from food wastes in physiopathological conditions

The escalating global challenge of food waste carries dire environmental and economic repercussions. However, this issue also presents a unique opportunity through the abundance of bioactive compounds found in food by-products such as peels, seeds, and pomace. These compounds, which include polyphenols, flavonoids, carotenoids, and dietary fibers, have demonstrated significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties. They have potential relevance in therapeutic applications and align well with circular economy principles by promoting waste reduction. Malfunctioning molecular pathways such as oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and chronic inflammation play critical roles in numerous diseases, including metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancers. Bioactives derived from food waste have shown promise in modulating these pathways and offering protective or therapeutic effects.

This Research Topic aims to further delve into the therapeutic prospects of bioactive compounds sourced from food waste. While their health benefits are acknowledged, gaps remain in comprehensively understanding their molecular mechanisms of action, bioavailability, and practical clinical applications. Given the growing interest in linking food waste valorization to health advancements, it is crucial to explore these bioactives through molecular docking, metabolomics, and high-throughput screening techniques. Doing so will serve to bridge existing knowledge gaps and enhance their potential in disease management and therapy.

To gather further insights within this interdisciplinary domain, we welcome contributions focusing on, but not limited to, the following themes:

- Molecular characterization of bioactive compounds from food waste

- Mechanistic insights into the modulatory effects of these compounds on cellular and molecular pathways

- Green extraction techniques for isolating and purifying these compounds

- Bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of food waste-derived bioactives

- Innovative applications of these compounds in preventing or treating various physiopathological conditions


Original Research Articles, Reviews, and Mini-Reviews are welcome to be submitted to this Research Topic.

Article types and fees

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

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... 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
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: bioactive compounds, food wastes, physiopathological conditions, nutraceuticals, circular economy

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.