Sample preparation techniques solid-phase extraction

One more trend that is worth mentioning is the miniaturization of sample preparation techniques. Solid phase microextraction is one good example of where very small samples are consumed and very small extracts are produced. Solid phase extractions can also be scaled down by reducing the bed volume or by use of coated membranes. Likewise liquid-liquid extractions can be scaled down conserving both sample and solvent. 

One of the techniques that is increasingly used and has replaced more of the traditional methods of sample preparation is solid-phase extraction (SPE). SPE, introduced in the early 1970s, offers the possibility of, if not eliminating, at least reducing the tedium in sample... 

Before compounds in biological matrices can be analyzed by LC/MS/MS, the samples must undergo a preparation procedure. There are a variety of techniques available for sample preparation including offline sample preparation techniques (liquid-liquid extraction, protein precipitation, and solid phase extraction) and on-line sample preparation... 

The analyte binding efficiency is matrix dependent. Some matrices, such as urine and tissue extracts, can be directly loaded onto the column, other matrices such as milk may need sample processing prior to loading onto an immunoaffinity column. The simplest sample preparation method is dilution this method has been applied to serum, liver, and kidney extracts after removal of particulates. Sometimes dilution alone is not sufficient to eliminate the matrix effect and classical sample preparation techniques (solvent/solvent extraction, solid phase extraction, etc.) will be necessary prior to immunoaffinity chromatography. We found milk often needs this type of treatment. 

The term solid-phase extraction was introduced by personnel of the J. T. Baker Company in 1982. The method consists of retention of the analytes from a liquid or gaseous sample to a solid stationary phase and subsequent removal of analytes using an appropriate eluent. The main purpose of SPE is isolation and preconcentration of compounds of interest or sample clean-up and simplification of the matrix. Application of this sample preparation technique also allows extract fractionation. As a result of significant reduction in the volume of organic solvents used, high recovery, and the possibility of process automation, SPE is a good alternative for conventional liquid-liquid extraction. According to their affinity for the compound of interest, stationary phases are classified as follows ... 

Matrix solid phase dispersion (MSPD) is an effective sample preparation technique that combines extraction and purification in one step. Barker et al. defined MSPD procedures as those that use dispersing sorbents with chemical modification of the silica surface (e.g.. Cl8, C8). Samples are blended and dispersed on particles (diameters of 40-100 p.m) using a glass or agate mortar and pestle (Pig. 4.3). The use of ceramic or clay mortars and pestles can result in loss of analytes. A disadvantage of the method is the traditionally high sorbent sample ratios... 

It is also possible to perform preparative TLC, developing the sample with AMD technique [36a]. After a solid-phase extraction of the waste water with C18-Empore discs, alkanesulfonate is isolated by using a specially dimensioned TLC plate and by scraping out the surfactant-containing zone. 

Table 3 Summary of solid-phase extraction techniques applied to the preparation of water samples for the determination of triazine pesticides...

The need to understand the fate of pesticides in the environment has necessitated the development of analytical methods for the determination of residues in environmental media. Adoption of methods utilizing instrumentation such as gas chro-matography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS), liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS), or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has allowed the detection of minute amounts of pesticides and their degradation products in environmental samples. Sample preparation techniques such as solid-phase extraction (SPE), accelerated solvent extraction (ASE), or solid-phase microextraction (SPME) have also been important in the development of more reliable and sensitive analytical methods. 

During the last few years, miniaturization has become a dominant trend in the analysis of low-level contaminants in food and environmental samples. This has resulted in a significant reduction in the volume of hazardous and expensive solvents. Typical examples of miniaturization in sample preparation techniques are micro liquid/liquid extractions (in-vial) and solvent-free techniques such as solid-phase microextraction (SPME). Combined with state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation, this trend has resulted in faster analyses, higher sample throughputs and lower solvent consumption, whilst maintaining or even increasing assay sensitivity. 

Principles and Characteristics Solid-phase extraction (SPE) is a very popular sample preparation and clean-up technique. In SPE solutes are extracted from a liquid (or gaseous) phase into a solid phase. Substances that have been extracted by the solid particles can be removed by washing with an appropriate liquid eluent. Usually, the volume of solvent needed for complete elution of the analytes is much smaller (typically < 1 mL) than the original sample volume. A concentration of the analytes is thus achieved. 

Solid-phase microextraction eliminates many of the drawbacks of other sample preparation techniques, such as headspace, purge and trap, LLE, SPE, or simultaneous distillation/extraction techniques, including excessive preparation time or extravagant use of high-purity organic solvents. SPME ranks amongst other solvent-free sample preparation methods, notably SBSE (Section 3.5.3) and PT (Section 4.2.2) which essentially operate at room temperature, and DHS (Section 4.2.2),... 

Miniaturisation of scientific instruments, following on from size reduction of electronic devices, has recently been hyped up in analytical chemistry (Tables 10.19 and 10.20). Typical examples of miniaturisation in sample preparation techniques are micro liquid-liquid extraction (in-vial extraction), ambient static headspace and disc cartridge SPE, solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE). A main driving force for miniaturisation is the possibility to use MS detection. Also, standard laboratory instrumentation such as GC, HPLC [88] and MS is being miniaturised. Miniaturisation of the LC system is compulsory, because the pressure to decrease solvent usage continues. Quite obviously, compact detectors, such as ECD, LIF, UV (and preferably also MS), are welcome. 

This chapter will review recent advances in mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography, and sample preparation techniques that aim at achieving high throughput. In particular, online solid phase extraction and multiplexed HPLC front ends for quantitative bioanalysis will be discussed in detail. 

Sample preparation—Analytes of interest were extracted from human plasma using the online solid phase extraction technique. The steps required are noted below ... 

Zimmer D. et al., 1999. Comparison of turbulent-flow chromatography with automated solid-phase extraction in 96-well plates and liquid-liquid extraction used as plasma sample preparation techniques for liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr A 854 1999. 

In 2003, Smith reviewed newer sample preparation techniques, including pressurized liquid extraction, solid phase microextractions, membrane extraction, and headspace analysis. Most of these techniques aim to reduce the amount of sample and solvent required for efficient extraction. 

Sample preparation refers to a family of solid/liquid handling techniques to extract or to enrich analytes from sample matrices into the final analyte solution. While SP techniques are well documented, few references address the specific requirements for drug product preparations, which tend to use the simple dilute and shoot approach. More elaborate SP is often needed for complex sample matrices (e.g., lotions and creams). Many newer SP technologies such as solid-phase extraction... 

Section II covers the latest trends in reducing sample preparation time, including direct sample infusion/injection and on-line solid phase extraction (SPE). In Section III, we focus on newer trends in stationary phases and how these phases hope to offer different selectivities compared to current CIS-based phases. Section IV briefly provides a few observations on how new detectors are increasing the versatility of HPLC. Finally, in Section V we examine monolithic columns, small particles packed in short columns, high-temperature LC, ultra high-pressure LC, and parallel injection techniques. 

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