Abstract :
[en] 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.
