Sample Preparation

We explain the principles of EC and demonstrate its use to enrich anionic pollutants and cationic drugs in environmental samples.

Blood is perhaps the most widely used sample fluid in bioanalysis. Dried blood spots (DBS) have been used with clinical samples for over 50 years but are recently seeing a resurgence of interest. DBS hold several advantages associated with the use of small sample sizes obtained via finger pricks, reduction biohazard, and more. In the previous installment, we gave an overview of microsampling in bioanalysis. This month, we will dig deeper into bioanalysis using DBS.

The rise of microsampling raises questions about representative sampling.

This yearly report on new products introduced at Pittcon or in the preceding year covers sample preparation instruments.

The results obtained from a new survey on sample preparation techniques were compared with the results of previous surveys from 1991 to March 2013. The survey investigated trends in technologies currently being used, sample loads, sample sizes, automation, the use of solid-phase extraction (SPE) devices (cartridges, disks, plates, tips), SPE chemistries, selection criteria, and problems encountered. Respondents were also asked about sample preparation technologies on the horizon.

This first installment of the “Sample Prep Perspectives” column presents an overview of the primary manual and automated sample preparation techniques-methods that are much the same as those in use today.

A survey of LCGC readers on sample preparation techniques and methodology investigated trends in technologies being used, sample loads, sample sizes, automation, the use of SPE devices (cartridges, disks, plates, tips), SPE chemistries, selection criteria, and problems encountered.

If sample preparation is the most time and labor intense step in the analytical process, and uses the largest amounts of solvents, it stands to reason that sample preparation may present the most significant safety risks in the analytical lab. While most laboratory workers receive significant safety training, we may become numb to the prospect of accidents or get into the mindset that accidents only happen to other people. Given some recent, significant safety incidents, this month we step back and take a quick refresher on safety concerns appropriate during our sample preparation activities.

Researchers at the University of Waterloo in Canada are collaborating with clinicians at Toronto General Hospital to develop preclinical and clinical applications of solid-phase microextraction (SPME). Bethany Degg of The Column spoke to Barbara Bojko from the team to find out more.

Advances in Sample Preparation: Removing Phospholipids from Biological Samples

When developing analytical methods, several parameters are often considered, things like solvent type and amount, sample size, pH, sorptive phases, temperature, time, and more. While some of these considerations can be considered unimportant in a given situation and experience and chemical knowledge can guide us to appropriate starting points, extraction method development is often a one-parameter-at-a-time proposition. A family of statistical approaches, which fall under the category of response surface methodology, are available to screen and optimize several parameters simultaneously.

Advances in Microsampling for In Vivo Pharmacokinetic Studies in Rodents

As expected, the new products introduced in the past year in the area of chromatographic sample preparation, while somewhat limited, mirror the current development in the field.

The benefits of supported liquid extraction (SLE) in sample cleanup and, in particular, the use of a synthetic SLE sorbent are discussed.

When pyrolyzed, macromolecules will decompose into smaller fragments that can have the appropriate volatility for gas chromatography (GC) separation and analysis.

In this installment of "Sample Prep Perspectives," we cover some of the basic scientific principles behind solid-phase extraction (SPE) to allow the correct mode of extraction to be selected through an understanding of how analytes interact with and are separated by the sorbent.

Make your column last forever? Not quite, but you can help prevent its early demise. 

Why should you be concerned about mobile-phase degassing - it's all done automatically, isn't it?

In sample preparation, what does "high-throughput" really mean?

This article discusses the benef ts of using automated dispersive solid-phase extraction (dSPE) rather than standard SPE in urine analysis.

The selective removal of a fat substitute in food products is discussed to demonstrate options for obtaining selectivity during extraction.

In this column, the selective removal of a fat-substitute in food products is discussed to demonstrate options for obtaining selectivity during extraction.

A look at five sample preparation methods where the application of a charge across barriers provides enhanced selectivity

To keep readers informed of the latest developments and trends in sample preparation, LCGC North America occasionally runs reader- and expert-surveys that provide information on overall technology and usage patterns.

The past and future development of analytical supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) is traced in terms of experimental strategies, applications, vendor support, and timely acceptance of the existing technology.