Microfluidic Sample Preparation Methods for the Analysis of Milk Contaminants

In systems for food analysis, one of major challenges is related to the quantification of specific species into the complex chemical and physical composition of foods, i.e. the effect of “matrix”. The sample preparation is often the key to a successful application of biosensors to real measurements but little attention is traditionally paid to such aspects in sensor research. In this critical review, we discuss several microfluidic concepts that can play a significant role in sample preparation, highlighting the importance of sample preparation for efficient detection of food contamination. As a case study, we focus on the challenges related to the detection of aflatoxin M1 in milk and we evaluate possible approaches based on inertial microfluidics, electrophoresis and acoustic separation, compared with traditional laboratory and industrial methods for phase separation as a baseline of thrusted and well-established techniques.