Novel Analytical Methods Involving Green Chemistry for the Detection of Contaminants in Food Samples

Dear Colleagues,

The staggering increase in the rate of resource depletion each year has indicated the need to promote green chemistry for reducing food contamination. The main goal of green chemistry is to reduce the hazardous substances released to the environment, the process for which is conducted in analytical laboratories. To achieve this objective some recommendations include, among others, to employ a small sample size, reduce the number of reagents removal steps, and avoid chlorinated reagents or solvents. The possibility of coupling two mass spectrometers has added on to the advantages of this technology, which is now capable of selectively and specifically identifying a compound without laborious extraction treatment and in a very short time; this not only reduces the time and cost of analysis but also the amount of waste and residues generated during the analysis of a simple sample.

This Special Issue aims to compile high-quality manuscripts focusing on innovative and validated analytical methods that align with the specific contaminants regulation guidelines of the European Commission (EU) 2021/808. These methods emphasize the use of small sample sizes, a minimal quantity of organic solvents, brief analysis times, and other considerations, facilitating a transition toward green chemistry within food safety control laboratories without compromising the quality of results.

Dr. Carolina Nebot
Dr. Andreia Freitas
Dr. Iveta Pugajeva
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• food safety
• LC-MS/MS
• GC-MS/MS
• mass spectrometry
• QuEChERS
• contaminants
• agrochemicals
• mycotoxins
• residues