Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC) is a relatively new analytical technique, which has been widely used for the analysis of a variety of complex samples. GC×GC offers increased peak capacity, higher sensitivity, and improved resolution when compared to conventional one-dimensional gas chromatography (1D-GC). In addition, it generates structured two-dimensional chromatograms, which aids in the identification of compound classes. The enhanced separation provided by GC×GC has been a distinctive benefit when it is compared to other available analytical techniques that deal with the analysis of food and beverages, irrespective of the goal of the analysis, i.e. aroma group-type separation and fingerprinting, target-volatile compound analysis or identification of unknowns. When trace amounts of aroma active compounds are present, GC×GC may also be used as a very powerful tool for their analysis due to its higher sensitivity. As volatile fractions may determine the acceptance or rejection of many foods and beverages by the consumer, the characterization of these products may be done having volatile composition as a basis. Applications of GC×GC for the analysis of volatiles of foods and beverages were revised since the emergence of this technique until 2010. Some topics related to principles of GC×GC were also discussed.
comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography; GC×GC; flavour analysis; aroma analysis
