Untargeted approaches in food-omics: The potential of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

Abstract The contribution focuses on untargeted data processing/analysis approaches that are currently adopted to explore the 4D-data matrices produced by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC × GC-MS) in food-omics. Strategies for untargeted explorations are rationalized through the type of features adopted (i.e., visual, datapoint, peak, and peak-regions) at the data processing level, and then discussed through relevant applications and illustrative examples, selected over peer-reviewed literature. The role of MS, including high vs. low resolution MS, as an active probe for specific cross-comparative analysis, is critically discussed also in the context of spectral deconvolution and subtraction, well-established procedures for 1D GC-MS explorations. Moreover, the challenging task of post-targeting aimed at identifying “unknown – knowns”, is examined in its potential, being the key to access a higher level of information. Selected examples emphasize the importance of reliable identification by retention indexing, retention pattern ordering, sensory evaluation (sensory analysis and olfactometry), and data mining.