Deep eutectic solvents in the analytical extraction, detection and quantification of IARC-classified food...

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide, with dietary exposure to International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)-classified food carcinogens representing a significant and preventable risk factor. The accurate extraction and quantification of these contaminants, formed during processing, cooking, storage, and environmental contamination, remain analytically challenging due to their chemical structural diversity, low concentration levels, and complex food matrices. Deep eutectic solvents (DES) have become promising green alternatives to conventional organic solvents, offering tunable physicochemical properties, enhanced selectivity, and improved sustainability in analytical sample preparation. Herein, this review critically examines the role of DES in the analytical extraction, detection and quantification of IARC-classified food carcinogens. Emphasis is placed on IARC Group 1, Group 2A, and Group 2B carcinogens, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs). Applications of DES-based extraction and micro-extraction techniques are evaluated in conjunction with advanced analytical platforms. Key analytical performance parameters, including limits of detection (LOD), recovery, precision, and matrix effects, are systematically assessed. Finally, current challenges related to viscosity, density, toxicity, and regulatory acceptance are addressed, and future perspectives focusing on rational DES design, task-specific systems, and integration with emerging analytical technologies are outlined. By framing DES as molecularly programmable extraction platforms, this review aligns sustainable solvent innovation with the principles of green chemistry, highlighting structure-property-performance relationships, predictive solvent design, and controllable analytical measurement strategies for trace-level carcinogen monitoring.