SPME and Chromatographic Fingerprints in Food Analysis

Abstract

This chapter focus on the application of solid-phase microextraction (SPME) in food analysis. A preliminary overview of the evolution of food analysis over the years from a technical viewpoint will be provided. This development has been followed by the evolution from more targeted towards untargeted and fingerprinting approaches. In this scenario, the coupling of SPME with gas chromatography (GC) and particularly with comprehensive multidimensional GC (GC × GC) has played a fundamental role in enhancing significantly the level of information that can be extrapolated from a chromatographic fingerprint. Applications on different food commodities are discussed, emphasizing the applications that more deeply exploited this novel approach.