Solid-phase microextraction with other sample preparation methods

Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) is a technique that was first reported by Louch et al. in 1991 (35). This is a sample preparation technique that has been applied to trace analysis methods such as the analysis of flavor components, residual solvents, pesticides, leaching packaging components, or any other volatile organic compounds. It is limited to gas chromatography methods because the sample must be desorbed by thermal means. A fused silica fiber that was previously coated with a liquid polymer film is exposed to an aqueous sample. After adsorption of the analyte onto the coated fiber is allowed to come to equilibrium, the fiber is withdrawn from the sample and placed directly into the heated injection port of a gas chromatograph. The heat causes desorption of the analyte and other components from the fiber and the mixture is quantitatively or qualitatively analyzed by GC. This preparation technique allows for selective and solventless GC injections. Selectivity and time to equilibration can be altered by changing the characteristics of the film coat. 

Solid-phase microextraction (SPME), first described by Pawliszyn and coworkers [157-161], is a recent upcoming sample preparation method for phenolic and other organic compounds from water and air samples. It is a novel solvent-free sample preparation technique. SPME has advantage of simplicity, low cost, and rapid extraction. It has been successfully coupled with various techniques such as GC, HPLC, CE, and MS. 

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