Abstract: 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2-AP) is a widely occurring aromatic substance in nature, composed of an inactivepyrroline and an active methyl ketone. It is currently used as an additive in various food products. The unique structure of 2-APmakes it prone to degradation at higher temperatures, along with issues such as instrument insensitivity in modern analyticaltechniques, matrix interference, and co-elution during chromatographic separation, which compromise the accuracy andprecision of 2-AP detection. Therefore, employing appropriate detection technologies for 2-AP is of significant importance.Presently, the preliminary identification methods for 2-AP in academia mainly include potassium hydroxide immersion andaroma color development methods. The accuracy of detected results from both methods is limited, allowing them to only serve assimple auxiliary means for qualitative analysis of 2-AP, while they cannot be used for quantitative analysis. Sample preparationmethods for 2-AP include distillation, organic solvent extraction, ultrasonic-assisted extraction, simultaneous distillationextraction, solid-phase microextraction, headspace adsorption extraction, and supercritical fluid extraction. The primaryinstruments for detecting 2-AP are based on gas chromatography, equipped with other detectors. For the quantitative analysisof 2-AP, the non-isotopic internal standard 2, 4, 6-trimethylpyridine is commonly used internationally for quantitative analysis.Domestically, an external standard method for determining 2-AP has been established in the agricultural standard (AgriculturalIndustry Standard of the People's Republic of China NY/T 4350-2023), utilizing 2-AP standard products to create a standardcurve for quantitative analysis. This paper describes the preliminary identification methods, sample pretreatment methods, anddetection instruments for 2-AP, discussing the detection technologies and instruments involved, as well as analyzing their mainapplication fields, advantages, and disadvantages, providing a reference basis for the development of detection technologies andinstruments for 2-AP in related fields.