Quantitative fingerprinting by headspace—Two-dimensional comprehensive gas chromatography–mass spectrometry of solid matrices: Some challenging aspects of the exhaustive assessment of food volatiles

•Quantitative fingerprinting and detailed profiling of food volatiles.•Adoption of a “comprehensive” analytical platform (HS-SPME–GC × GC–MS) for sensomics and flavoromics studies.•Quantitative headspace analysis for a complete and informative assessment of food volatiles.•Fully-integrated system of multiple dimensions of analysis: sample preparation-separation-identification/quantitation-advanced data processing.

The study proposes an investigation strategy that simultaneously provides detailed profiling and quantitative fingerprinting of food volatiles, through a “comprehensive” analytical platform that includes sample preparation by Headspace Solid Phase Microextraction (HS-SPME), separation by two-dimensional comprehensive gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry detection (GC × GC–MS) and data processing using advanced fingerprinting approaches.Experiments were carried out on roasted hazelnuts and on Gianduja pastes (sugar, vegetable oil, hazelnuts, cocoa, nonfat dried milk, vanilla flavorings) and demonstrated that the information potential of each analysis can better be exploited if suitable quantitation methods are applied. Quantitation approaches through Multiple Headspace Extraction and Standard Addition were compared in terms of performance parameters (linearity, precision, accuracy, Limit of Detection and Limit of Quantitation) under headspace linearity conditions. The results on 19 key analytes, potent odorants, and technological markers, and more than 300 fingerprint components, were used for further processing to obtain information concerning the effect of the matrix on volatile release, and to produce an informative chemical blueprint for use in sensomics and flavoromics. The importance of quantitation approaches in headspace analysis of solid matrices of complex composition, and the advantages of MHE, are also critically discussed.

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