New trends in fast liquid chromatography for food and environmental analysis

There is an increasing need for applications in food and environmental areas able to cope with a large number of analytes in very complex matrices. The new analytical procedures demand sensitivity, robustness and high resolution within an acceptable analysis time. The purpose of this review is to describe new trends based on fast liquid chromatography applied to the food and environmental analysis. It includes different column technologies, such as monolithic, sub-2 μm, porous shell, as well as different stationary phases such as reversed phase (C8 and C18), hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) and fluorinated columns. Additionally, recent sample extraction and clean-up methodologies applied to reduce sample manipulation and total analysis time in food and environmental analysis – QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe), on line solid phase extraction coupled to ultrahigh pressure liquid chromatography (on line SPE–UHPLC), turbulent flow chromatography (TFC) and molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), were also addressed. The advantages and drawbacks of these methodologies applied to the fast and sensitive analyses of food and environmental samples are going to be discussed.