Challenges and Innovations in Analysing Complex Food Mixtures

The analysis of complex food mixtures stands as a cornerstone in the disciplines of food science and chemistry, primarily driven by the need to ascertain the safety, quality, and nutritional content of food products. Analysing complex mixtures encompasses various techniques, including spectroscopy, chromatography, and mass spectrometry, which enable the separation and characterization of individual compounds including proteins, carbohydrates, and micronutrients. Such analyses not only facilitate stringent quality control but also assist in product development and regulatory compliance. Moreover, it plays a crucial role in understanding the nutritional content of foods and addressing dietary concerns. In the dynamic landscape of global food supply, where consumer preferences and safety standards are continually evolving, the ability to accurately analyse complex food mixtures becomes increasingly vital for both industry and public health, ensuring that the food we consume is safe, nutritious, and meets our expectations.

The analysis of complex food mixtures encounters several challenges. Firstly, the intricate nature of food matrices, filled with diverse components, can interfere with analytic techniques, diminishing both accuracy and sensitivity. Additionally, the presence of novel compounds in foods can complicate the identification and quantification process without adequate reference standards or comprehensive databases. Some trace compounds also pose difficulties in detection and quantification in food due to their extremely low concentrations, while the broad variability in food composition further complicates matters as overlapping components in analytical techniques can obscure signals, making accurate deconvolution challenging. Natural variations in food samples, influenced by factors such as seasonal changes or geographic origins, can also lead to analytical challenges and result in inconsistent results. Finally, regulatory demands for food safety and labeling impose stringent requirements that complicate analytical processes.

Efforts continue to address these limitations through advancements in analytical techniques, data analysis, and collaboration among scientists, with the aim of improving the accuracy and reliability of complex food mixture analysis. This research topic seeks to spotlight significant studies that address these challenges.

We welcome manuscripts, reviews, and mini-reviews exploring topics of interest including, but not limited to the following:

- Advanced analytical methods for the characterisation and quantitation of complex foodstuff components.

- Utilization of metabolomics for food authenticity, including factors for food security and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) or Protected Denomination of Origin (PDO) marks.

- The impact of food processing, packaging, and storage on product composition and sustainability.

- Methodologies suitable for industry application in downstream processes, e.g. formulation and quality assurance.

- Metabolomic studies to understand the health and flavour impact of small molecules in food.

- Enhanced detection techniques for food allergens to heighten consumer safety.

- Comprehensive nutritional profiling including evaluation of micronutrients and bioactive compounds.

- Strategies for thorough contaminant monitoring, including pesticides, mycotoxins and heavy metals.

- Application of sophisticated data analytics to manage and interpret complex datasets generated in food mixture analysis.

This Research Topic seeks to encapsulate the depth of current research and invite further scholarly input to push the boundaries of what analytical technology can achieve in food science.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Clinical Trial
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Clinical Trial
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Food Mixtures, food science, chemistry, Proteins, Fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.