BOOK OF ABSTRACTS - 9th International Symposium on RECENT ADVANCES IN FOOD ANALYSIS (RAFA)

Significance of the Topic

The 9th International Symposium on Recent Advances in Food Analysis brought together experts to address emerging challenges in ensuring food safety, authenticity and quality. Rapid developments in analytical chemistry are critical for detecting contaminants, verifying origin and supporting regulatory compliance. This symposium highlighted interdisciplinary approaches that impact food industry practices, public health and research methodologies.

Objectives and Overview of the Symposium

The event aimed to showcase state-of-the-art methods and foster collaboration between academia, industry and regulatory bodies. Over four days in Prague, 150+ presentations spanned vendor seminars, invited lectures and poster sessions. Topics were organized into thematic tracks including contaminants (environmental, processing, pesticide residues), authenticity and traceability, bioanalytical methods, biologically active components, omics, migrant screening, and novel detection platforms.

Common Methodologies and Used Instrumentation

Analytical platforms presented included:

• Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS, GC×GC-TOF-MS, GC-NCD, GC-FID)
• Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS with triple quadrupole, QTOF, Orbitrap, ion mobility)
• Ambient ionization techniques (DART, REIMS, coated blade spray)
• High-resolution techniques (ICP-MS for metals, LC-AAS, LC-fluorescence, NMR)
• Microfluidics, immunoassays, lateral flow tests and biosensors
• Non-targeted ‘omics’ workflows (metabolomics, proteomics, lipidomics)

Main Thematic Focus

1. Contaminant analysis: detection of mycotoxins, dioxins, PAHs, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in food and feed.
2. Authenticity and traceability: isotope fingerprinting, DNA barcoding, vibrational spectroscopy, chemometrics for honey, olive oil, meat and spices.
3. Bioanalytical methods: multiplex immunoassays, micro-sensor platforms and enzyme-based detection of allergens, antibiotics and toxins.
4. Functional and health-promoting components: profiling of polyphenols, vitamins, carotenoids, fatty acids and bioactive peptides.
5. Omics and data integration: non-targeted screening, metabolomic markers for quality, risk assessment and regulatory monitoring.

Benefits and Practical Applications

Advances presented enable faster, more sensitive and comprehensive screening of multiple analytes in complex matrices. Portable and smartphone-based systems pave the way for on-site testing. Non-targeted workflows support fraud detection and discovery of emerging hazards. Harmonized protocols improve inter-laboratory comparability and regulatory enforcement.

Future Trends and Opportunities

• Integration of AI and machine learning for data fusion and decision-making.
• Expansion of ambient and portable MS for real-time field analysis.
• Development of automated, high-throughput microfluidic and biosensor platforms.
• Growth of non-targeted omics for exposome and personalized risk assessment.
• Enhanced reference materials and proficiency testing for emerging contaminants.

Conclusion

This symposium underscored the vital role of advanced analytical chemistry in safeguarding the food supply chain. Collaborative efforts among researchers, technology providers and regulators are essential to translate innovations into routine practice and address future food safety challenges.