Capillary-liquid chromatography (CLC) and nano-LC in food analysis

•Capillary-liquid chromatography (CLC) and nano-LC applied in food analysis.•CLC and nano-LC for determination of amino acids or polyamines in drinks.•Analysis of allergens, antibiotics residues in various foodstuffs.•Determination of polyphenols, organic acids, and peptides.

Capillary-liquid chromatography (CLC) and nano-LC are miniaturized techniques with great potential in the analytical field. They have been applied in different areas – pharmaceuticals, biomedicine, environment and recently food and agrochemicals. CLC and nano-LC separations are carried out in capillaries of narrow internal diameter (10–320 μm) containing selected stationary phases. Short analysis time, high mass sensitivity, minute volumes of samples and mobile phases, and easy coupling with mass spectrometry are the main features. We review the general principles of the two miniaturized techniques, their advantages over conventional LC, and the most important applications in food analysis.