Archive / Volume LXXVIII 2025

Tanya SAVCHUK, Svitlana KOROLCHUK

Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University, Voli ave., 13, 43025 Lutsk, Ukraine,
е-mail: savchuk.tanja@vnu.edu.ua

DOI:

APPLICATION OF CHROMATOGRAPHY METHODS IN THE ANALYSIS OF WATER AND FOOD PRODUCTS

This paper provides a comprehensive overview of chromatographic analysis methods and their application in the fields of food safety and environmental monitoring. The classification of chromatographic techniques has been reviewed in detail, focusing on their analytical capabilities, sensitivity, and specificity. Special attention is given to the determination of trace amounts of heavy metals and pesticide residues in water and food samples. Ion chromatography (IC) and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) are highlighted as the most frequently used techniques for detecting heavy metals in aqueous media. These methods offer high sensitivity, selectivity, and compatibility with various detection systems such as conductivity detectors and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). IC is also effectively used in the analysis of radioactive components in food products, particularly when evaluating environmental contamination. Gas chromatography (GC), especially when coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS), is widely applied for the identification of volatile and non-polar pesticides in food and environmental samples. For moderately polar pesticides, liquid chromatography (LC) is preferred due to its ability to separate a wide range of compounds with different polarities. Highly polar anionic pesticides can be reliably detected using ion chromatography. In some cases, a combination of analytical techniques is required to achieve comprehensive identification and quantification of complex mixtures or co-eluting compounds. The study emphasizes the significance of chromatographic methods in ensuring compliance with maximum allowable concentration (MAC) standards for hazardous substances in food and water. Their implementation plays a crucial role in protecting public health, supporting regulatory frameworks, and advancing analytical science.

Keywords: chromatography, analytical methods, heavy metals, pesticides, maximum allowable concentration, water analysis, food safety.

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