Sample preparation membrane methods

Experimental considerations Sample preparation and data evaluation are similar to membrane osmometry. Since there is no lower cut-off as in membrane osmometry, the method is very sensitive to low molar mass impurities like residual solvent and monomers. As a consequence, the method is more suitable for oligomers and short polymers with molar masses up to (M)n 50kg/mol. Today, vapour pressure osmometry faces strong competition from mass spectrometry techniques such as matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) [20,21]. Nevertheless, vapour pressure osmometry still has advantages in cases where fragmentation issues or molar mass-dependent desorption and ionization probabilities come into play. 

In one study by Hood et al., 282 of 1153 identified proteins were identified by at least 2 unique tryptic peptides from FFPE prostate cancer (PCa) tissue.9 According to the gene ontology classification of the proteins identified, -65% of proteins were predicted to be intracellular proteins, while -50% of the total human proteome is predicted to be located in the intracellular compartment. Additionally, 20% of the proteins identified in the PCa tissue were classified as membrane proteins, which is significantly less than the predicted 40% for the human proteome. This relative disparity is not unexpected, considering the Liquid Tissue sample preparation kit lacks specific protocols for membrane protein extraction. The Liquid Tissue method has also been used for proteomics studies of a variety of FFPE tissue samples, including pancreatic tumors,28 squamous cell carcinoma,4 and oral human papillomavirus lesions.27... 

The last sample preparation method for IMS is the transfer of a tissue section onto the PVDF membrane. Proteins in the section can be transferred onto the PVDF membrane and then analyzed on the membrane. The advantage of this method is that the enzyme can be digested for MS" measurement, because the information on protein localization in the organization is fixed on the membrane.5,20 This technique can denature, reduce, and digest the proteins in the tissue section efficiently and remove the salt from the tissue. This increases the efficiency with which biological molecules are ionized, making it possible to obtain sensitive mass imaging spectra. 

Another possible solution to the problem of analyzing multiple-layered membrane composites is a newly developed method using NMR spin-lattice relaxation measurements (Glaves 1989). In this method, which allows a wide range of pore sizes to be studied (from less than 1 nm to greater than 10 microns), the moisture content of the composite membrane is controlled so that the fine pores in the membrane film of a two-layered composite are saturated with water, but only a small quantity of adsorbed water is present in the large pores of the support. It has been found that the spin-lattice relaxation decay time of a fluid (such as water) in a pore is shorter than that for the same fluid in the bulk. From the relaxation data the pore volume distribution can be calculated. Thus, the NMR spin-lattice relaxation data of a properly prepared membrane composite sample can be used to derive the pore size distribution that conventional pore structure analysis techniques... 

The column approach—in which the sample is passed through the medium— is more widely used. Although dilution is a possible consequence, the column technique is more useful for removing traces of the analyte of interest. Convenient prepacked sample preparation columns are readily available. A newer form of medium is the flow-through membrane disk, which offers less flow resistance than a column yet provides similar sample capacity. Majors and Hardy have provided a thorough review of the range of methods in use [29]. 

Air drawn through a 0.8 to 1.2 mm cellulose ester membrane filter, asbestos fibers counted by positive phase contrast microscopy technique sample prepared by acetone/triacetin method (NIOSH Method 7400, 1985). 

Membrane methods in sample preparation Enzymatic hydrolysis... 

Sampling procedures are often dependent on the method of sample preparation as well as the physical and chemical properties of the analyte For most analytes that are collected by the above method the usual procedure is to ash the filter in either a low temperature plasma asher or a muffle furnace, disperse the residue in a suitable liquid such as isopropanol using ultrasonic agitation, and filter the suspension through a silver membrane filter. In addition, if the internal standard method is used, the chosen standard must be added to the residue suspension prior to filtration ... 

Membrane Techniques The interest in membrane techniques for sample preparation arose in the 1980s. Extraction selectivity makes membrane techniques an alternative to the typical sample enrichment methods of the 1990s. Different membrane systems were designed and introduced into analytical practice some more prominent examples are polymeric membrane extraction (PME), microporous membrane liquid-liquid extraction (MMLLE), and supported liquid membrane extraction (SEME) [106, 107]. Membrane-assisted solvent extraction (MASE) coupled with GC-MS is another example of a system that allows analysis of organic pollutants in environmental samples [108-111] ... 

Matz, G., Kibelka, G., Dahl, J., Leimeman, F. Experimental study on solvent-less sample preparation methods - membrane extraction with a sorbent interface, thermal membrane desorption application and purge-and-trap. J. Chromatogr. 830, 365-376 (1999)... 

One of the most crucial considerations in proteomic analysis is sample preparation because this will ultimately dictate the number and type of proteins that can be processed. The first priority is to establish the precise protein system to be studied [e.g., will this be a comprehensive and exhaustive catalogue of every expressed protein within a tissue or cellular extract, or is only a small subset of a cellular proteome (e.g., only phosphoproteins or membrane-bound proteins) sufficient for analysis ]. Whether a full or partial proteome, or even a limited number of specific proteins is required for analysis, it is crucial that the extraction technique provide maximal protein recovery while preserving the integrity of the protein complex to be examined. Furthermore, the method of preparation must be totally compatible with the separation methods to be used. This is particularly important for separation technologies that are reliant on protein-protein interactions or drug/ligand/antibody, etc. interactions. Poor recovery of proteins is clearly... 

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