The biological activities of natural products, such as essential oils and plant extracts, have been empirically recognized for centuries but scientifically confirmed only recently. The use of natural antimicrobial compounds in food industry and in agriculture for "synthetic preservative-free" products and the incorporation of health-promoting natural substances into functional foods and in cosmetics are included among the latest and most successful accomplishments.

We particularly have an interest in manuscripts dealing with the most recent achievements of specific biological active natural products. The special issue will become an international forum for researchers to summarize current inventions, developments, and ideas in the field, with a special emphasis on the technical applications, beneficial effects obtained within the last five years, and future perspectives.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Food preservation and smart packaging:
  • Antimicrobial properties of natural products
  • Quality assurance criteria and safety data
  • Legal aspects of the use of natural substances in food and agriculture
• Health applications:
  • Health beneficial effects of natural products
  • Toxicology aspects for bioactive natural products
  • Research activities on clinical applications
  • Encapsulation technologies for incorporation of biologically active natural components into functional foods
• Characterization and assessment of mode of action:
  • Mechanisms of action of bioactive natural products
  • Quantitative assessments of the antimicrobial action of bioactive natural products