Chemical analysis on the way to a consumer: solutions for food quality control

One of the pronounced trends in modern analytical chemistry is increasing availability of chemical analysis for mass consumers. By now, a large number of produced test kits for semi-quantitative analysis and a number of devices for evaluation of compliance of individual parameters of the analyzed object with the required standards have appeared. The review systematizes and discusses the main existing solutions in this field today, proposed for food analysis, and reflects the current state of the art in this area. According to the authors opinion, the concept of accessibility of this or that accessory is largely determined by its availability on the market and its acceptable cost for an individual buyer, so the review focuses on commercialized analytical tools costing mainly up to 100 thousand rubles. Relatively inexpensive and easy-to-use test tools, portable electrochemical, spectroscopic, refractometric, ultrasonic systems, as well as electronic nose type systems for chemical analysis are considered, their main characteristics and approximate cost are given. Suggestions are made about the prospects of further development of chemical analysis instruments available for mass consumers.