Recent advances in non-targeted analysis of consumer products

Abstract

Consumer products (CPs) encompass a wide range of items, including personal care products, household cleaners, and packaging materials, many of which contain complex and largely undisclosed chemical formulations. Identifying and characterizing these chemical constituents are essential for evaluating potential environmental and human health impacts. Traditional targeted analysis methods are limited to known compounds, necessitating the adoption of more comprehensive analytical strategies such as suspect screening and non-targeted analysis (NTA). This review examines recent advances in NTA methodologies for CP analysis, addressing the unique analytical challenges posed by matrix complexity and chemical diversity. We discuss sample preparation techniques ranging from simple dilute-and-shoot approaches to sophisticated extraction methods, emphasizing the need for matrix-specific optimization. Advanced separation technologies, particularly comprehensive two-dimensional chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry, have significantly improved analytical coverage and compound detectability. Despite substantial progress, challenges remain in balancing comprehensive chemical coverage with identification confidence, particularly given limited reference standards for many CP ingredients. Future developments in machine learning, artificial intelligence, and expanded spectral databases promise to enhance automated data processing and compound identification accuracy. NTA continues to mature as a powerful analytical strategy, offering unprecedented insights into CP chemical composition and supporting informed safety assessments. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.