Exploring Nutraceuticals: A Comprehensive Examination of Inception, Thematic Mapping, Evolution, Emerging Trends, and Gaps

Abstract

Nutraceuticals (NCs) refer to food or dietary components that include medicinal or health-promoting properties, potentially aiding in preventing and managing specific diseases. Nutraceutical research (NCR) has made significant strides, but several gaps still need to be addressed. The study's main objective is to analyze the inception and current state of NCs, identify research gaps, and map out potential areas for future investigation in the field of NCR. The study utilized the Scopus database to gather bibliographic data through MesH-generated keywords. The search encompassed English-language original research without limitations on chronology or geography. The PRISMA methodology was employed to refine the search results. The Bibliometrix software tool, based on the R programming language, analyzes 16,030 research publications. Since 1993, NCR has experienced exponential growth of 27.27% (R2 = 0.929). Italy and the United States are the leading countries regarding publications and citations. The most prolific scholar in NCR is McClements, D.J. The research findings highlight that the antioxidant properties of plant extracts, pathophysiology of diet- and age-induced diabetes, pharmaceutical formulations, and drug delivery routes are the most cited research directions. Thematic mapping of NCR reveals a need for motor and emerging themes, with key clusters including "nutraceuticals," "antioxidant activity," and "curcumin." The thematic evolution of NCR's themes experienced a turning point in 2020. As a result, trending topics in NCR include Castanea sativa, authentication, lipophilicity, bioactive compounds, molecular docking, COVID-19, autophagy, gut microbiota, and sustainability. The study helps bridge research gaps and promotes the safe and effective use of nutraceuticals for human health. It provides valuable benefits for researchers, including identifying interesting authors, popular research areas, and collaboration opportunities. Furthermore, the findings can inform decision-makers in making strategic and informed decisions regarding policy, finance, and resource allocation in the field of nutraceutical research.