Development of Green and White analytical methods for food quality and safety with microwave-assisted sample preparation

Imagine coming home after a long and exhausting day at work, with only one thought in mind: the leftovers waiting in the fridge. You reheat them in the microwave, why? Because it is easy, fast, and efficient. This simple reasoning was the same intuition that inspired Samra et al. when they first introduced microwave technology into the laboratory. The same advantages that make the microwave indispensable in the kitchen can be effectively translated into scientific workflows. Building on this concept, this thesis explores the application of microwave-assisted techniques for sample preparation to address different analytical challenges in food chemistry. This research highlights the potential of microwaves as a versatile tool that bridges everyday problems with advanced analytical chemistry solutions, opening new perspectives for laboratory applications. In particular, this research is situated within the framework of food chemistry, a field that plays a vital role in understanding the composition, transformation, and stability of food, especially in relation to safety, quality, and nutritional value. With increasing global demand for food traceability, health-conscious products, and sustainable practices, the need for accurate, rapid, and environmentally friendly analytical methods has become more urgent than ever. In this context, the adoption of microwave technology represents a promising step forward. This thesis reports optimized microwave-assisted sample preparation protocols for a variety of matrices and target analytes, demonstrating the versatility and efficiency of microwave-assisted methods compared to conventional ones. The results consistently show that microwave-assisted techniques not only reduce processing times and energy consumption but also improve extraction efficiency, reproducibility, and overall analytical throughput. Furthermore, the integration of microwave technology aligns with the principles of green chemistry, minimizing the use of hazardous solvents and lowering environmental impact. Together, these findings underscore the potential of microwaves to transform routine laboratory workflows, offering a fast, reliable, and sustainable alternative for modern food analysis