Documentation
README
Food Chemistry — Author Guideline Skill
Publisher: Elsevier · ISSN: 0308-8146 · Source: Guide for Authors · Verified: 2026-07 (confirm exact limits at source before submission).
Aims & scope
Food Chemistry publishes original, rigorous analytical/chemistry-driven research on the chemistry of food: composition and structure, bioactive compounds, analysis and authentication, processing chemistry, food safety (chemical), and sensory-linked chemistry tied to identified compounds. The bar is chemical insight from validated methods — not descriptive screening. Studies must report validated methods, adequate controls, genuine replication, and defensible quantification. Scope-mismatched food-engineering or purely sensory work is desk-rejected.
Article types
Original Research Articles; Review Articles (usually invited or pre-proposed); Short Communications; Analytical Methods papers. Rapid, well-validated method papers are welcome.
Manuscript structure
Title page → Abstract → Keywords → 1. Introduction → 2. Materials and methods → 3. Results and discussion → 4. Conclusions → (Declarations) → References → Figure/table legends. Use continuous line numbering and page numbers.
- Abstract: unstructured, single paragraph, ~200 words (confirm; graphical abstract is separate).
- Keywords: up to 6.
- Highlights (required): a separate editable file, 3–5 bullets, each ≤85 characters including spaces.
- Graphical abstract (required): one concise image submitted as a separate file, legible at Elsevier's display size.
Reference style
Elsevier numbered (Vancouver) style. In-text citations are bracketed numbers [1], [2,3], numbered in order of appearance; the reference list is numbered in the same order.
Example (journal article):
[1] A.B. Author, C.D. Author, Title of the article, Food Chemistry 400 (2023) 133912. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.133912
Figures & tables
- Vector where possible (EPS/PDF); raster at ≥300 dpi (line art ≥1000 dpi). TIFF/JPEG accepted.
- Fit one (~90 mm) or two (~190 mm) column widths; embed fonts; consistent, legible labels.
- Tables editable (not images); cite all figures/tables in order.
Method-validation requirements (journal-specific)
Report linearity, LOD/LOQ, recovery, precision, and quantitative concentrations. Compound identification needs authentic standards or MS/MS confirmation (not library hits alone). Bioactivity claims must be backed by chemistry; chemometric models must be validated; avoid single-batch-only conclusions.
Submission checklist
- Highlights file (3–5 × ≤85 chars) · [ ] Graphical abstract · [ ] Abstract ≤~200 words
- Numbered (Vancouver) references, DOIs included · [ ] Line + page numbering
- Declaration of interest · [ ] Data availability statement · [ ] CRediT author contributions
- Figures ≥300 dpi, correct column widths · [ ] Cover letter stating scope fit and novelty
Formatting constraints
journal: Food Chemistry
publisher: Elsevier
reference_style: numbered-vancouver
abstract_words: 200
keywords_max: 6
highlights: {count: "3-5", max_chars: 85, required: true}
graphical_abstract: required
line_numbering: required
figure_dpi: {halftone: 300, line_art: 1000}
column_widths_mm: [90, 190]