April 4th 2024
In a recent study, scientists evaluated different microextraction methods using green analytical chemistry (GAC) metrics.
December 14th 2023
New Chromatography Columns and Accessories at the 2005 Pittcon Conference: Part II
April 1st 2005This month's installment of "Column Watch" is the conclusion of a two-part series in which Ron Majors examines the trends in column introductions at Pittcon 2005. Here, he discusses gas chromatography columns, sample preparation products, hardware, and accessories.
Practical Tips on Preparing Plasma Samples for Drug Analysis Using SPME
March 1st 2005This month's guest authors review the application of solid-phase microextraction (SPME) to the analysis of drugs in human plasma discussing important factors in the optimization of extraction efficiency. The column concludes with a discussion of method validation issues.
New Chromatography Columns and Accessories at the 2005 Pittcon Conference: Part I
March 1st 2005Pittcon 2005 - the 56th Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy - returned to the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida, 27 February-4 March 2005. This year's event hosted more than 900 instrument manufacturers and 1aboratory suppliers in more than 2300 booths. In addition to attending the exposition, the conferees were able to listen to numerous oral presentations, view more than 900 posters, check out 38 seminar rooms, or attend one of 150 short courses.
Enhanced Sample Throughput for Environmental Analysis
February 1st 2005In this article, the authors look at ways to increase sample throughput for routine environmental analysis. Several strategies aimed at enhancing laboratory productivity are highlighted and illustrated with from-the-floor applications.
Choice of Buffer for the Analysis of Basic Peptides in Reversed-Phase HPLC
February 1st 2005Formic acid often is used for the analysis of peptides in proteomic studies by HPLC-MS, due to its volatility and reduced signal suppression. However, poorer chromatographic performance can be obtained in comparison with trifluoroacetic acid or nonvolatile phosphate buffers due to increased overloading, which can occur even for extremely small sample masses. Comparison of a highly inert silica-ODS and a wholly polymeric phase indicated that overloading effects on both are very similar and caused by the mutual repulsion of solute ions on the hydrophobic column surface.
The Misunderstood Laboratory Solvent: Reagent Water for HPLC
January 1st 2005Reagent water is used in all aspects of liquid chromatography (LC) technology, from preparation of mobile phase to preparation of standards, blanks, and samples. Reagent water is the most widely used analytical solvent, yet it is the least characterized, especially in total organic carbon (TOC) content. TOC adversely effects performance of LC methods and hence, reagent water quality is a major issue. Organics initially present in tap water will be reduced efficiently to low parts-per-billion concentrations by combining several technologies embedded in a water purification system. Monitoring the TOC concentrations gives chromatographers added confidence in their results.
Tissue Sample Preparation — Not the Same Old Grind
February 1st 2004Extracting analytes from biological tissues often presents serious challenges for the analytical chemist. In this column, the guest authors provide an overview of human and animal tissue sample preparation, and compare conventional extraction technologies with novel approaches to these challenges.
Selective Sorbents for Solid-Phase Extraction Based on Molecularly Imprinted Polymers
September 1st 2001Highly selective sorbents for solid-phase extraction (SPE) are desirable tools for the development of selective and sensitive methods for trace analysis. Molecular imprinting is an emerging technique that can yield analyte- or group-selective polymeric sorbents.