Potential of comprehensive chromatography in food analysis

• We describe the evolution and applications of comprehensive chromatography.
• Comprehensive 2D chromatography provides powerful methods for the analysis of foods.
• We emphasize the coupling of comprehensive chromatography and mass spectrometry.

The outstanding selectivity and sensitivity of specific comprehensive two-dimensional chromatography (C2DC) methodologies (particularly with mass-spectrometry detection) have made feasible trace (ppb level), and ultra-trace (ppt level and lower) analysis of target compounds, reducing the need for tedious sample-preparation processes.The present review can be considered a continuation of a review published in 2004 [J. Chromatogr., A 1054 (2004) 3]. Rather than an exhaustive description of the C2DC food applications since then, we provide detailed critical descriptions of significant changes and applications.