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.