Nontargeted fingerprinting approaches

Abstract This chapter provides an overview of the different analytical techniques which are capable of generating analytical signals suitable to be employed for applying nontargeted fingerprinting as well as the level of information given for each of them, depending on the specificity of the signal (high, middle, or level informative signal). Moreover, a brief explanation of the basis for developing multivariate qualitative and quantitative methods is also included. Likewise, the conventional validation process of these methods is described, and a new approach for establishing the validation requirements of the qualitative screening methods is discussed. Similarly the most recent applications of the fingerprinting methodology for food quality and food authentication are declared. Finally advantages, weaknesses, and prospects in this field are stated.