Industrial Crops and Products is an International Journal publishing research on cultivated plants (crops) of industrial interest (non-food, non-feed). Papers concern both crop-oriented and bio-based materials research. It should be of interest to an international audience, hypothesis driven, and repeatable. Crops and products of interest include: fiber, forest, and energy crops, industrial oilseeds, rubber and resins, and cultivated medicinal and aromatic plants. The plant(s) in the manuscript must fit our definition of industrial crops, before it is classified further in research topics as indicated below.
Research on food, phytochemistry, ethnobotany, and medicine are not in the scope of the journal. Authors should make clear in the cover letter how the research fits our scope following the detailed scope description below.

The following are examples of research that fits within the scope of the journal:

Industrial crop management practices to increase productivity and specific chemical components. Including cultural practices (sowing, plant density, fertilization, pruning, shading, management of wild stands for sustainable harvest, pests and weed management, harvest, post-harvest, etc.).
Breeding and genetics of cultivated industrial crops. The research must be of international interest and hypothesis driven. The research must be of value to other breeders and the germplasm developed must be available to other researchers for further genetic improvement.
Response of cultivated industrial crops to abiotic (temperature, water, salinity, pH, heavy metals, etc.) and biotic stresses (insects, diseases, weeds).
Sustainable cropping systems including an industrial crop to reduce negative environmental impacts of conventional cropping systems. For example, cultivation in marginal lands, intercropping, double or relay cropping, cover cropping or other systems intended to minimize soil erosion, eutrophication, greenhouse gases emissions, loss of biodiversity, etc.
New techniques for the propagation of industrial crops or production of metabolites in vitro (root and tissue culture, micropropagation).
Discovery or development of new industrial crops is in the scope, but must include an evaluation of the real potential to make a plant an industrial crop, not just information on plants gathered in natural habitats (many plants make products, but they will not become a crop). An economic analysis may be included as appropriate.
Extraction methods of metabolites from industrial crops and waste streams of industrial crops processing (non-food related).
Biochemical and thermochemical conversion of lignocellulosic biomass.
Bio-based materials:
Fiber and fiber compounds: cellulose-, hemicelluloses-and lignin-based products, textiles, nanofibers, composites, films, etc.
Other crop-polysaccharides based materials such as carbohydrates and proteins-based products not intended for the food industry (adhesives, varnishes, paints, etc.)
Rubber, waxes, resins, gums from crops
Polymers from crops
Crop and forestry biorefinery:
Energy crops: fuel (bioethanol, biogas, syngas), biochar, chemicals, etc.
Oils, fatty acids, biofuels (biodiesel, jet fuel, drop-in fuels), and chemicals derived from oilseed crops
Biologically active compounds:
Insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, and pharmaceuticals (the species has to fit our definition of industrial crop; cultivated plants or plants with demonstrated potential to be cultivated with non-food purposes)
Essential oils: inks, dyes, lubricants, perfumes, cosmetics, plastics, and other industrial applications
Bio-based products must be tied to specific crops/plants, and their modification to meet new industrial uses. For instance, for nanoparticles, a direct link is required with an industrial crop or with the respective value-chain.
In the manuscript, all species must include the Latin name and Authority, the first time the species is mentioned in the abstract or text.


Research not in the scope of the journal:

Field or horticultural crops and products which main use is food, functional food, or nutraceutical. Some crops might have both an industrial and food use. For example rapeseed (Brassica napus L.), if the work is directed to industrial rapeseed (biodiesel, jet fuel) fits the scope; but if it is a canola type with main use as food; then is not in the scope, same for other oilseeds (sunflower, safflower), sugar crops( sugarcane, sugarbeet), and others.
Non-plant research or non-plant derived products, for instance animal, algae, fungi, microorganisms, and minerals. For example: honey, propolis, chitosan, graphene, etc. are not in the scope.
Genetic, phytochemical, molecular characterization or screening of plant species collected in their natural habitat or a local set of genotypes of a species with or without potential to become a cultivated industrial crop.
In vitro antioxidant activity characterization with indirect methods (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP or ORAC) of plants or plant parts without proof of biological activity. Antioxidant activity is present in all plants and thus is meaningless without additional data.
Edible films and food/feed related antioxidant activity.
Ethnobotany, ethnopharmacology, pharmacology, and phytochemistry.
Development of analytical methods of metabolites.
Valorization and metabolite extraction of waste streams from food industry (peels, seeds, pomace, coffee grounds, vegetables processing, etc.).


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Original research papers (regular papers)
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Book Reviews

Editors-in-Chief
N. Belgacem
International Graduate School of Paper Print Communication and Biomaterials, St Martin d'Heres, France Email N. Belgacem
M.T. Berti
North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota, United States Email M.T. Berti
E. Frollini
University of Sao Paulo Institute of Chemistry of Sao Carlos, SAO CARLOS, Brazil Email E. Frollini
O. Koul
Society of Biopesticide Sciences India and Insect Biopesticide Research Centre, Jalandhar, India Email O. Koul
R.C. Sun
Dalian Polytechnic Universit, Center for Lignocellulose Science and Engineering, School of Light Industry and Chemical Engineering, Dalian, China Email R.C. Sun
Managing Editors
S. Amaducci, PhD
University Cattolica Sacro Cuore Department of Sustainable Crop Production, Piacenza, Italy Agronomic evaluation of industrial crops (particularly for fibre and biomass production); Management strategies to increase sustainability of agricultural systems
D.S. Bajwa
Montana State University Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, Bozeman, Montana, United States
M. Blohm
Loyola University Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
W. Thielemans
KU Leuven - Kulak Kortrijk Campus, Kortrijk, Belgium lignin; surface modification; composites; starch and cellulose nanoparticles; self assembly
Associate Editors
J. Bras
International Graduate School of Paper Print Communication and Biomaterials, St Martin d'Heres, France Nanocellulose; surface treatment of lignocellulosics; fibres functionalisation; smart fibre-based packagings
J. González-Álvarez
University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
J. Labidi
University of the Basque Country Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, San Sebastian, Spain biorefinery processes;	pulp and paper; lignin; process simulation/optimization
Z. Liu
USDA-ARS National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Peoria, Illinois, United States
L. S. Severino
Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation Cotton, Campina Grande, Brazil
Editorial Advisory Board
H. Abdel-Haleem
USDA-ARS Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, Maricopa, Arizona, United StatesAgronomics; biodiesel; biofuel; new industrial crops; oil seed crops; plant breeding; plant genetics; plant genomics; plant genetic resources; plant physiology (abiotic stress); natural rubber; natural rubber plants.
M. Acaroğlu
Selçuk University, Konya, Turkey Energy Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; Automotive Engineering
A.A. Aires, PhD
Plant composition; Secondary metabolites; Polyphenols; Glucosinolates; Crop wastes; Agro-food valorization; Antioxidant activities; Antimicrobial properties; Extraction and purification; HPLC
E. Alexopoulou
Centre for Renewable Energy Sources, Pikermi, Greece Non-Food Crops
E.R. Amante
Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil Green chemistry; Cleaner production; Food chemistry; Food processing; Wastes minimization; Food biochemistry
M.P. Arraiza
Polytechnic University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain Aromatic plants; Medicinal plants; Essential oils; Natural products; Antioxidant activity; Bioactivity
M. Arslan
Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey Genetics; Plant breeding; Oil crops; Medicinal plants; Essential oil
A. Ashori
Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran, Islamic Republic of Non-wood fibers; pulp and paper technology; wood-plastic composite; wood cement bonded composite; fibres
T. Baj
Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland Essential oils; Medicinal plants; Extraction methods; Statistical optimization methods; Industrial pharmacy
R. Balti
University of Jendouba Higher Institute of Biotechnology off Beja, Beja, Tunisia Biological Function Engineering; Enzyme engineering; Biorefinery; Bioactive compounds from natural resources; Functional polymers from renewable resources; Natural antioxidants; Phytochemicals and phytopharamceuticals; Nutraceuticals and functional foods, Protein preparations and biopeptides; Seafood processing and utilization of processing by-products; Biopolymers; Membrane technology for separation of biomolecules; Biodegradable packaging films; Innovations in Food Packaging; Food processing; Preparation of value-added products
A Biswas
USDA-ARS National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Peoria, Illinois, United States
J-F. Bloch
International Graduate School of Paper Print Communication and Biomaterials, St Martin d'Heres, France Mechanics of fibres and fibermats; structure; simulation; heat and mass transfer; optics
S. Boufi
University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia Natural fibres based composites; nanocomposite based on nanosized cellulose filler; surface modification of cellulose fibres
A.A. Carbonell-Barrachina
Higher Polytechnic School of Orihuela, Orihuela, Spain Farming practices; Herbs and essential oils; Medicinal plants; Antioxidant activity; Antifungal activity; Isolation of natural plant compounds with industrial interest
A.J.F. Carvalho
University of Sao Paulo Department of Materials Engineering, SAO CARLOS, BrazilStarch; thermoplastic starch; polymers and monomers from renewable resources; cellulose fibers and nanofibers
E. Castro Galiano, PhD
University of Jaén, Jaen, Spain Conversion of biomass into biofuels and other added-value products; Techno-economic and environmental issues related to the development of the biorefinery concept
S.C. Cermak
USDA-ARS National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Peoria, Illinois, United States Chemistry; Organic; New Crops; Lubricants; Distillation
R. Chhabra
Indian Institute of Technology Ropar Department of Chemical Engineering, Rupnagar, India Non-Newtonian behaviour; rheology; viscoelasticity; yield stress; shear-thinning; shear-thickening; thixotropy; food processing; baking characteristics.
M.J. Cocero Alonso
University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
K. Cornish
The Ohio State University Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster, Ohio, United States rubber; plant physiology; biomass; biofuels; resins.
S.L. Cosentino
University of Catania, Catania, Italy Agronomy; Field crops; Biomass crops; Lignocellulosic crops; Agrometeorology; Crop Physiology; Water use efficiency; Soil erosion; Leaf gas exchange; Models
A. Cruz-Hernandéz
University of La Salle Bajio, Leon, Mexico Genomics; Molecular biology; Plant biotechnology; Proteomics; Secondary Metabolites; Tissue culture
V.M.V. Cruz
Bridgestone Americas, Inc., Guayule Research Farm, Eloy, Arizona, United States Crop breeding and genetics; Plant genetic resources conservation and management; Oilseed crops; New industrial crops
M.D. Curt
Polytechnic University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain Crops for biomass and biofuels; agronomy; improvement and processing
D.A. Dierig
Bridgestone Americas, Inc., Guayule Research Farm, Eloy, Arizona, United StatesOilseeds, plant genetic resources, new industrial crop breeding.
R.L. Evangelista
USDA-ARS National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Peoria, Illinois, United States Postharvest handling of crops; crop processing; oilseed processing; vegetable oil refining; plant oil characterization; seed protein characterization
M. Faisal
King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Plant Biotechnology; in vitro morphogenesis, tissue culture, micropropagation, germplasm conservation, genetic transformation, molecular markers and environmental phytotoxicity of nanoparticles and bisphenols.
I.C.F.R Ferreira
Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, Braganca, Portugal Food Chemistry; Natural Products; Nutraceuticals; Functional Foods; Natural ingredients/additives
E.J. Foster
Virginia Tech University Bookstore, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States Cellulose nanomaterials; Nanocomposites; Polymers; Characterization; Byproducts; Nanocellulose; Supramolecular; Unctional; Implantable materials; Biomaterials
A. Gandini
University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal Chemistry of vegetal biomass; furan and furanics
R. Gesch
USDA-ARS Soil Management Research, Morris, Minnesota, United States Agronomy of oilseed crops (e.g. influence of agronomic practices and environment on crop growth and yield, including seed oil content and composition); crop water use; photosynthesis; plant carbohydrate metabolism and usage
X. He
USDA-ARS Foodborne Toxin Detection and Prevention Research, Albany, California, United States Molecular biology; Protein detection methods; Food safety; Food contaminants and Protein toxins
M.A. Jackson
USDA-ARS National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Peoria, Illinois, United States Catalytic conversion of fats and oils
D. Jasso de Rodriguez
Antonio Narro Agrarian Autonomous University, Saltillo, Mexico medicinal and nutraceuticals; antioxidants; waxes; resins; latices; guayule and phytochemicals of the plants of the semiarid lands
H. Kaddami
Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, Morocco Composites; Aerogels; Nanocelluloses; Polymers and Biopolymers; Synthesis; Properties; Interfaces; Chemical modifications of fibers; Applications
S. Korkut
Duzce University, Düzce, Turkey Fibres and fibre compounds; natural fibres-based composites; waxes; resins; gums; rubber and other polymers; composites and reconstituted products; energy and chemicals from forest biomass; non-wood forest products; adhesives for wood; bonding strength; contact angles; adhesion by chemical bonding; mechanical properties of adhesives; surface roughness/morphology; wood-based composite materials and their applications.
M-P. Laborie
University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany particle boards; wood; wood adhesive; nanocellulose; cellulosic composites; adhesion; interface properties; bio-based adhesives
D. Lachenal
International Graduate School of Paper Print Communication and Biomaterials, St Martin d'Heres, France pulping; lignin; bleaching; biorefinery from lignocellulosics
M.D. López Belchí
University of Concepcion Plant Production Department, Chillan, Chile Natural Products from Plants; Analytical Techniques; Antioxidants; Enzymatic Assays; Encapsulation and Ingredients
B.M. Mvumi
University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe Biologically active compounds for pesticides; Postharvest treatment and storage; Product testing and development
M.J. Pascual-Villalobos
Instituto Murciano de Investigacion y Desarrollo Agrario y Alimentario, La Alberca, Spain
D. Pasquini
Federal University of Uberlandia, UBERLANDIA, Brazil vegetal macromolecules; cellulosic fibers; composites; nanocellulose; nanocomposites; polymers from renewable sources
R. Pavela, Pgh.D.
Crop Research Institute Secondary Plant Metabolites in Crop Protection, Praha, Czech Republic botanical insecticides; plant extracts; essential oils; insecticidal activity; repellency
W.B. Phippen
Western Illinois University, Macomb, Illinois, United States oil seed crops; plant breeding; genetics; agronomy; GC oil analysis
A. Pizzi
University De Nancy 1 Henri Poincare, Epinal Cedex 9, France particle boards; wood; wood adhesive
Y. Popineau
INRA Pays de la Loire Centre, Nantes, France
D.T. Ray
University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States
C. Regnault-Roger
University of Pau and Pays de l’Adour, Pau, France natural Insecticides; essential oils; plant chemistry
J.L. Ren
South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China Lignocellulosic agricultural crop; Pretreatment; Cellulose; Hemicellulose; Lignin; Conversion; Biofuels; Chemicals; Biomaterials
R. Roseberg
Oregon State University Klamath Basin Research & Extension Center, Klamath Falls, Oregon, United States soil science; agronomic aspects of crop production
H. Ruiz
Autonomous University of Coahuila, Saltillo, Mexico Renewable energy, specifically in biorefinery process and bioethanol production of second generation using lignocellulosic materials (agricultural residuos); Hydrothermal process (autohydrolysis); Simultaneous saccharification; Bioethanol fermentation and modeling of enzymatic hydrolysis
A.J.D. Silvestre
University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal extractives; GC-MS
P.C. Stevenson
University of Greenwich Natural Resources Institute, Chatham, United Kingdom Natural Products Chemistry; Bioactive compounds from plants; Botanical Insecticides; Chemical Ecology; Pollination Biology
V.K. Thakur
Cranfield University School of Engineering, Bedford, United Kingdom Bio-Renewable Materials; Cellulose Fibres; Bio-Resins; Lignin; Membrane; Agricultural biomass; Hydrogels; Polymer Composites; Nanocomposites; Green Synthesis of Nanomaterials
D. Turley
National Non-Food Crops Centre Ltd, York, United Kingdom non food crops in general; economic aspects; processing; rural strategies; agronomy of non-food crops; biofuels and bioenergy applications; bio-based materials
E.A. Turumtay
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University, Rize, Turkey Modern Liquid Chromatography Techniques; Chromatographic Analysis of Plant Based Natural Products; Phenolic Profiling; Spectroscopic Assays for Antioxidant Properties of Plant Extracts; Traditional and Modern Extraction Techniques for Bio-active compounds from Medicinal Plants; Determination of Anticancer Activities of The Natural Compounds on some Cancer Cell lines and animal models
P. Velmurugan
Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Korea, Republic of
J.J. Villaverde, PhD
National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology Department of Variety and Phytosanitary Products Evaluation, Madrid, Spain Pesticides; Environmental Technology; Biorefineries; Analytical methods; Biomimetic processes; Catalytic processes; Informatics; Computational quantum chemistry; Quantitative structure-activity relationships; Statistical modeling
M. Viuda-Martos, phD
Miguel Hernandez University of Elche Agro-Food Technology Department, Orihuela, Spain Coproducts; Fibre; Antioxidant; Antibacterial; Foods
G. Wang
University of Arizona Maricopa Agricultural Center, Maricopa, Arizona, United States crop production, nutrient management, crop rotation, and tillage management.
X. Wang, PhD
South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China Biomass-based Materials; Cellulose; Hemicellulose; Chitosan; Fiber; Hydrogel; Film; Aerogel; Paper
J. B. Xiao
University of Macau, Taipa, Macao Medicinal plants, polyphenols, flavonoids, natural products, bioactivity, antioxidantsFood NutritionFood Chemistry
C.L. Xu
Åbo Akademi University Physics, TURKU, Finland Plant cell wall Polysaccharides; Biomass processing and fractionation; Carbohydrate chemistry; Wood chemistry; Cellulose; Biobased, biopolymer; Biorefinery
F. Xu
Beijing Forestry University, School of Material Science & Technology, Department of Forestry Chemistry, Beijing, China
F. Zanetti, PhD
University Hospital of Bologna Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Polyclinic, Bologna, Italy Oilseed crops; Lignocellulosic crops; Biobased uses; Crop physiology; Abiotic stresses; Natural rubber