International Journal of Food Properties

Functional Foods: Beneficial Properties of Secondary Metabolites in Food

Functional foods containing secondary metabolites have emerged as a dynamic area of research due to their potential to promote health and prevent disease. These naturally occurring bioactive compounds—such as flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, phenolic acids, saponins, glucosinolates, and carotenoids—play vital roles in plant defense and adaptation, but also offer promising therapeutic properties when consumed as part of the human diet. Unlike essential nutrients, secondary metabolites are not required for basic survival, yet they exhibit a wide range of physiological effects, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and cardioprotective activities. As interest in holistic and preventive health strategies grows, functional foods enriched with these compounds are gaining popularity among consumers, clinicians, and researchers alike. This evolving field bridges food science, nutrition, pharmacognosy, and biotechnology, opening new pathways for the development of natural, health-promoting ingredients. Understanding the presence and function of these compounds in food systems is critical to advancing both public health and food innovation

The growing importance of functional foods lies in their ability to support health, prevent chronic diseases, and contribute to sustainable food systems. Diets rich in foods containing secondary metabolites have been linked to a reduced risk of non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, obesity, and certain cancers. These compounds may also help modulate inflammation, improve gut health, and support cognitive and immune functions. From an agricultural perspective, focusing on crops rich in these bioactives encourages biodiversity and the development of varieties with enhanced nutritional value, contributing to more resilient and sustainable farming practices. Additionally, the innovation surrounding functional foods drives significant growth in the global food industry, with increased consumer demand for products that combine health benefits with natural ingredients. As researchers continue to uncover the complex mechanisms of action behind these compounds, functional foods are positioned at the intersection of nutrition, preventive medicine, and economic opportunity.

This Article Collection aims to bring together high-quality research focused on the role of secondary metabolites in functional foods and their impact on human health, nutrition, and food systems. We invite submissions of original research articles, reviews, and short communications that explore the occurrence, functionality, and application of these bioactive compounds across diverse food sources. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Enhancement of secondary metabolite content in food crops through agronomic strategies or biotechnological approaches.
• Mechanistic studies on the bioavailability, metabolism, and synergistic actions of secondary metabolites in the human body.
• Profiling and functional evaluation of secondary metabolites in food matrices, with insights into their sensory, nutritional, or therapeutic properties.
• Contributions of secondary metabolites to the prevention or management of lifestyle-related and chronic diseases.
• Innovations in the sustainable production, formulation, and commercialization of metabolite-rich functional foods and nutraceuticals.

Through this Collection, we aim to advance scientific dialogue and practical innovation in this vibrant field.

Keywords: Secondary Metabolites, Functional Foods, Health Benefits, Sustainable Agriculture, Food Industry Innovation

Guest Advisors

Prof. Hafiz Suleria, PhD is an Associate Professor and ARC DECRA Fellow at the University of Melbourne, specializing in Food Science and Nutrition. His research focuses on the identification and characterization of phytochemicals and bioactive compounds from plant, marine, and animal sources. With over 200 peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Suleria is a leading contributor to the field and an active member of the global scientific community. Here is the link to his ORCID page: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2450-0830.

Prof. Osman Tuncay Agar, PhD is an Assistant Professor at Süleyman Demirel University and formerly a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne. His research focuses on pharmacognosy, phytotherapy, functional foods, and complementary medicine. He has published widely on the bioactivity and chemical profiling of natural products and contributes actively to international scientific collaborations. Here is the link to his ORCID page: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1676-2443.

Disclosure statement: Both Guest Advisors declare no conflict of interest.

­­All manuscripts submitted to this Article Collection will undergo desk assessment and peer-review as part of our standard editorial process; the Guest Advisor for this Collection will not be handling the manuscripts (unless they are an Editorial Board member).

Please review the journal scope  and author submission instructions  prior to submitting a manuscript.

The deadline for submitting manuscripts is July 31th, 2026.

Please contact Ruby Ru at [email protected]  with any queries and discount codes regarding this Article Collection.

To submit your papers to this Article Collection, please:

1. Check "yes" for the question, "Are you submitting your paper for a specific special issue or article collection?"
2. Select the relevant Article Collection from the drop-down menu under the question, "Special Issue or Article Collection Name."