Food Analysis Why is Sample Preparation in Food so Challenging?

Sample preparation is key in all areas of analytical science however, it is probably the most laborious, disliked and often the trickiest part of the whole analytical workflow. It also has the biggest impact on the final results.

If you are working in food analysis you will know, how challenging it can be, but why exactly is it so time consuming and complicated? It all starts with the sample itself. Food samples can encompass anything from sodas to baked goods, fruits and vegetables to dairy products and it is due to the huge variety of samples and matrices that are encountered where the challenges begin. In this article, common pitfalls that are made when processing food samples will be discussed and a starting point in sample preparation for many different types of matrices will be shown.

The Different Sample Matrix Problem

Dairy products are an example of a food group with a large variety from milk to cheese to yoghurt. Milk ­contains milk sugar, cheese has a high amount of fat, in yoghurt there are flavors, sugars, and in some cases even sugar alcohols are found. It is this that makes it a different ­matrix every time and to make it even more challenging, the detection limits are different for adults and infant formulas. Just this one example shows, how many things need to be taken into consideration. Now think about all the other groups of foods and sub-groups. An avocado is a fruit, and a strawberry is also a fruit, however, they contain completely different amounts of water and fat.

With these examples, it is obvious that there is not one single sample preparation method that works for all matrices even within one food type. The large variety of samples and analytes makes it so complicated to take the right approach. Figure 2 in the gallery below shows common food matrices and frequently used sample preparation techniques.

Gallery

The Sample Preparation and Processing Issue

For as many different matrices, there are as many sample preparation options available! Some are more regulated by the government than others. A highly water-based matrix is a different challenge to a fat or protein containing matrix. The job of the sample preparation is the separation of the analytes from the matrix, to concentrate and then provide them in a way, that they are analytically compatible and that necessary detection limits are accomplished.

Think about a sample matrix you really dislike. For some, this is a meat sample containing maggots, for others it might be a fish. However, that is not what makes it complicated. The matrix itself, as well as the analytes and their chemical properties are the bases for preparing the right sample.

Other things that could impact heavily on the analytical results may occur even before samples reach the laboratory. Such as, when samples are collected, the way they are then stored or even during transportation. Hopefully, you are not using plastic, which can contaminate your sample with phthalates and other extractables. Be aware of other issues, such as cross contamination from cutting tools and even air!

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Right Data for Real Food

Most samples, if not all, must be homogenized to achieve comparable and reliable results, it can be one of the most time-consuming steps. In the case of liquid samples, it is usually easier. For samples like fruits, it is less complicated if the shell or peel can easily be removed (citrus fruits). Sometimes the fruit or vegetable needs to be cut into small pieces with the risk that the temperature could get too high during this mechanical process, as a result analytes like pesticides may degrade and not be detected. Cooled ball mills or dry ice could be one solution to avoid losing analytes during the homogenization process.

And finally one last thing to think about… how do you wash up? There are special dishwashers available for labs, but really good ones are expensive. Now, are you separating the glassware you use for low concentrations from those with high concentrations? In most of the cases the answer is no. However, a sticky, fat and/or protein containing matrix, can leave traces on your glassware. This leads to cross contamination and in some cases to false positive results. And the problems can vary from matrix to matrix.

The Sample Extraction and Clean-up Challenge — Choices

If you are looking into solids or oil, liquid-liquid-extraction (LLE) is the route to go first. The compounds of interest need to be extracted, the matrix removed, and the analytes need to be extracted into a more analytical solution. Now you think this is universal enough, however, is it clean enough? The analytical system can be easily contaminated and requires a lot of maintenance afterwards, in other words cleaning becomes necessary. This costs time as well as resources and this is not what is needed in a lab that needs to produce results.

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Food Contamination Could Start from Soil

The other issue is that it is not possible to run extremely low concentrations defined by regulatory methods, such as those required in infant formulas, and then run high concentration extracts on the same instrument. This is when more sophisticated clean-up, such as solid-phase-extraction (SPE) comes into play. Surely, this is cost and labor intensive, however, it gives you more specific and analytical results. The more specific you get, the better the detection limits will be. Within SPE, there are different stationary phase options available and it all depends on the chemistry and properties of your analytes as to which one you use. But there are solutions out there, proven and widely used.

Another route to try might be the Quechers (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) technique, which is a solid-liquid-extraction (SLE) that might also require a SPE step afterwards. The image above shows the standard Quechers tube. If you have a liquid sample, you might dilute, derivatize and inject, however, are you absolutely sure that the matrix won’t contaminate your analytical system? Remember, the better the cleanup, the better the results!

If your focus is on volatile substances, there are also additional sample extraction methods that can be used to treat the sample, such as static headspace (HSS), solid-phase-micro-extraction (SPME), or in some cases, purge and trap (P+T). Also, last but not least, let’s not forget accelerated solvent extraction (ASE), just to add to the mix of techniques and your hands won’t get as dirty. Figures 3 and 4 in the gallery below show common analytes and sample preparation techniques used in food analysis.

Gallery

Food Analysis: The Sample of Success

After reading all of this, you can see why food analysis can be such a challenge, and what is discussed literally only touched the tip of the iceberg, showing a few examples and what kind of difficulties can be encountered and as a result questions that can be generated. But, as many matrices as there are and as many complications that can occur, the real difficulty is all the different options that are available and the choices that you have to make.

When it comes down to the sample, always know what you want to get rid of and what you need to detect and how low. Occasionally, it will be necessary to adopt new methods and adapt existing methods to a group of analytes or one specific new analyte, which may have not been on the radar two years ago. In this case, the same strategy applies, matrix and analyte properties determine the sample extraction method.

It is always the goal to find a fast, reliable and economical method that works. However, sometimes a little more effort is recommended to really accomplish the necessary detection limits.

The worst-case scenario from the analytical analysis is a false negative result, or a round robin test that has not been passed. This really reduces the reliability of the lab. In some cases, the lab will lose the authorization to test for certain analytes and this is not what is needed in a demanding and competitive situation in the food testing market.

* P. Gerhards is an Engineer and Regional Marketing Manager EMEA at Thermo Fisher Scientific, Dreieich/Germany.

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