Food is a complex matrix of proteins, fats, minerals, vitamins, and other components. Various analytical methods are currently used for food testing. However, most of the used methods require sample preprocessing and expensive chemicals. New analytical methods are needed for quick and economic measurement of food quality and safety. Fluorescence spectroscopy is a simple and quick method to measure food quality, without sample preprocessing. This technique has been developed for food samples due to the application of a front-face measuring setup. Fluorescent compounds–fluorophores in the food samples are highly sensitive to their environment. Information about molecular structure and changes in food samples is obtained by the measurement of excitation–emission matrices of the endogenous fluorophores and by applying multivariate chemometric tools. Synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy is an advantageous screening mode used in food analysis. The fluorescent markers in food are amino acids tryptophan and tyrosine; the structural proteins collagen and elastin; the enzymes and co-enzymes NADH and FAD; vitamins; lipids; porphyrins; and mycotoxins in certain food types. The review provides information on the principles of the fluorescence measurements of food samples and the advantages of this method over the others. An analysis of the fluorescence spectroscopy applications in screening the various food types is provided.

Freshwater fish are important bioindicators of environmental pollution and provide a pathway for human exposure to toxic elements. We aimed to determine the concentrations of 29 elements in the muscle tissue of European chub collected from the Pek River (impacted by mining activities and untreated wastewater), the Ibar River (affected by treated wastewater), and the Kruščica Reservoir (an unpolluted drinking water source). Elemental analysis was conducted using ICP-OES, and the results were compared to maximum allowed concentrations (MACs) for fish meat, alongside a human health risk assessment. No significant spatial differences were observed for most elements; elevated Pb levels were found in several individuals from Kruščica and Ibar, while isolated cases of increased Cd were recorded at all sites. Fluorescence spectroscopy was used to assess structural changes in muscle tissue, particularly in collagen. A red shift in collagen emission maxima was observed along the pollution gradient (Kruščica < Ibar < Pek), indicating structural modifications. These findings are consistent with the elevated metal burden detected in Pek. Overall, despite localized contamination, consumption of chub appears safe. The strong correlation between elemental composition and fluorescence responses demonstrated the potential of fluorescence spectroscopy as a rapid tool for detecting pollution-induced tissue alterations.