CHAPTER 5: Review of Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) in Food Analysis

Recent progress in and applications of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) analysis by direct measurement of the optical emission from a laser-induced plasma have led to a fast and efficient technique. Food adulteration, quality control, safety and traceability are the main targets of this technique. The ability to perform qualitative and quantitative multielemental analyses with little or no sample preparation, no consumables and at low cost and the possibility of online analysis make LIBS an important technique in the food industry. The purpose of this chapter is to present an overview of recent advances in and trends of this technique in food analysis. Specific examples are given to illustrate the ability of LIBS to carry out rapid qualitative and quantitative analyses of different food samples. A brief description of the fundamentals, instrumentation and data analysis of LIBS is also included.