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.

Varroa destructor is a parasitic mite responsible for the loss of honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies. This study aimed to find a promising marker in honey for the bee colony infestation level using fluorescence spectroscopy and biochemical analyses. We examined whether the parameters of the honey samples’ fluorescence spectra and biochemical parameters, both related to proteins and phenolics, may be connected with the level of honey bee colonies’ infestation. The infestation level was highly positively correlated with the catalase activity in honey (r = 0.936). Additionally, the infestation level was positively correlated with the phenolic spectral component (r = 0.656), which was tentatively related to the phenolics in honey. No correlation was found between the diastase activity in honey and the colonies’ infestation level. The results indicate that the catalase activity in honey and the PFC1 spectral component may be reliable markers for the V. destructor infestation level of the colonies. The obtained data may be related to the honey yield obtained from the apiaries.

This study investigates the impact of Nosema infection in beehives on the physico-chemical and biochemical properties and spectral characteristics of honey as indicators of honey quality. Comprehensive analyses were performed on honey samples from hives with varying levels of Nosema infection, examining water content, free acidity, optical rotation, electrical conductivity, sugar composition, catalase activity, and pollen content. Honey from highly infected hives showed higher water content (up to 17.3%), lower optical rotation, reduced electrical conductivity, decreased glucose levels, and increased sucrose levels. Principal component analysis (PCA) identified distinct clustering of samples based on infection levels, with changes in the sugar profile, particularly higher phenolic compounds, correlating with increased infection levels. Fluorescence spectroscopy combined with PARAFAC modeling identified proteins and phenolic compounds as key discriminators of honey from infected hives. Correlation and PLS modeling further demonstrated strong relationships between spectral features and honey properties, including catalase activity and pollen content. This research presents a novel approach to evaluating the impact of Nosema infection on honey quality by integrating physico-chemical and biochemical analyses and sugar composition profiling with advanced spectroscopic techniques. These insights are invaluable for improving bee health monitoring practices and advancing sustainability in the beekeeping and honey production industries.

Maize (Zea mays L.), a globally important cereal crop, is often threatened by aflatoxin contamination, compromising seed quality, nutritional value, and food safety. This study investigated the distribution of macro- and microelements in inner and outer seed fractions of maize with varying aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) levels to identify potential elemental markers of contamination. Macro- and microelements were quantified using ICP-OES and ICP-QMS, and principal component and correlation analyses were applied to explore interelement relationships and sample separation. The inner fraction was enriched in metabolically active elements such as K, Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn, and Ni, while the outer fraction contained higher Na, Ca, Cr, and Co, supporting structural integrity and defense. Strong positive correlations were observed between Mn and Zn in the inner fraction (r = 0.818), as well as between Cr and Zn (r = 0.82) and Co and Zn (r = 0.797) in the outer fraction, whereas Na and Zn showed a negative correlation in the inner fraction (r = −0.739). Na exhibited a nonlinear relationship with AFB1, suggesting complex regulatory mechanisms. Increasing AFB1 concentrations affected elemental composition, with dynamic changes in Cr, Mn, Zn, and Co and reductions in K, reflecting adaptive responses at low toxin levels and disrupted metal homeostasis at higher contamination. Strong associations of Mn, Zn, and Cr with AFB1 indicate their potential as contamination markers. These findings highlight compartment-specific mineral dynamics and their relevance for seed resilience and food safety.

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.