New Sample Preparation Products and Accessories for 2024–2025
This article reports on new products introduced at Pittcon this year and in the preceding year related to sample preparation instruments, supplies, and accessories.
This annual review of sample preparation strives to cover the products introduced in sample preparation from March 2024 through February 2025, inclusive of products introduced at Pittcon. The 2024 review co-authored by Doug Raynie from the University of South Dakota and me started out by stating that it was becoming increasingly more difficult to identify new product offerings (1). The principal cause was vendors avoiding general analytical conferences for more focused meetings and increased marketing using social media or other digital means. This likely stems from the trend in lower attendance at general analytical conferences. For example, Pittcon 2019 recorded 12,541 attendees in Philadelphia, a 9.9% decrease over Pittcon 2018 in Orlando, Florida (2). Then Covid struck our world, and numbers for the face-to-face Pittcon meetings of 2020 (Chicago) were recorded at 9000, for 2023 (Philadelphia) at 7500, and for 2024 (San Diego) at 6000, half the attendance of the 2019 show five years earlier. According to Corey Gerheim, Pittcon’s conference planner, Pittcon 2025 in Boston drew an increase in attendees at 6933 total. Even though this attendance was negatively impacted by the federal travel ban, it showed a 15% increase in attendance over the 2024 meeting (3). Vendors attend face-to-face shows where customers and potential customers will likely be, because the personal contact and direct communication controls their overall sales. Attending a small local chromatography conference two weeks ago, I met several vendors that oƒ ered to come to my work site to show new offerings, or give a presentation. In sales, making a personal contact is key. General analytical conferences offer an opportune venue to meet customers and share new product offerings. Although more costly and more time-consuming than an email blast, these face-to-face meetings are more e ective at achieving that desired personal contact. Through the years, I have found those personal contacts to be invaluable in keeping abreast and ahead of what is state of the art in the analytical areas that interest me. At the beginning of this year, LCGC International submitted a survey to vendors of sample preparation products seeking new product introductions during the past year. The Eastern Analytical Symposium and Pittcon expositions were also visited to gather information about sample preparation products. Altogether, a nice selection of sample preparation products has been introduced over the past year, and suggest that sample preparation is alive and well in the analytical laboratory meeting the needs of R&D scientists. This assessment is hopefully another tool to keep well-informed and up to date on new sample prep inventions. Herein is the overview.
Solid-Phase Extraction
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were developed initially to make products resistant to heat, grease, stains, and water. They can be found in many common products found around our homes, including cosmetics, carpets, and non-stick cookware. Unfortunately, many PFAS are found in our bodies at very low levels because of everyday exposure, and there are potential health effects due to this exposure. The U.S. Environmental Protection agency (EPA) and other world-wide regulatory bodies are working on regulating, monitoring, and reducing PFAS. The Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) has defined PFAS as “fluorinated substances that contain at least one fully fluorinated methyl or methylene carbon atom.” (4) Considering this high interest, it should come as no surprise that there has been a focus on products developed to aid in the sample preparation before analysis of PFAS in a wide variety of sample types.
Agilent Technologies has introduced a cartridge for PFAS analysis, the Captiva EMR PFAS Food Cartridge. The EMR in the name stands for Enhanced Matrix Removal, and is in several Agilent introductions this year. These 6-mL cartridges are suggested for use for PFAS Food I methods where the analysis is of PFAS in fresh produce and fresh processed food matrices, as well as PFAS Food II methods where the foodstuffs are animal origin food, dry plant origin food, and more complex matrices. The pass-through cleanup cartridges eliminate manual, cumbersome, and time-consuming clean-up steps such as those found in “Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe” (QuEChERS) dispersive solid phase extraction, and offer cost savings and reduce environmental waste. The cartridges are automation friendly, and provide time savings over QuEChERS methods.
Another 6-mL cartridge for solid phase extraction (SPE) prior to PFAS analysis is Restek’s Resprep PFAS SPE. This cartridge is a dual-bed SPE cartridge equipped with a filter aid. The actual bed is 200 mg of the filter aid, followed by weak anion exchange bed of 150 mg and a clean-up bed with graphitized carbon black, 50 mg. The Resprep PFAS can be used for the extraction and cleanup of aqueous and solid samples when using EPA method 1633 for PFAS. EPA method 1633, finalized in January of 2024, measures up to 40 PFAS in wastewater, surface water, groundwater, soil, sediment, biosolids, and fish tissue. The unique features of this cartridge afford minimal clogging and the avoidance of wool packing.
GL Sciences offers two other 6-mL SPE cartridge for PFAS analysis using EPA Method 1633. These cartridges, InertSep WAX FF/GCB and InertSep GCB/Wax FF, again offer the dual-bed packing of weak anion exchange and graphitized carbon black, alternating the placement of the bed material to provide different selectivity. The high purity sorbents in the InertSep cartridges minimize contamination risks, where the particle size of the packing material is optimized for improved permeability, reducing the time for sample preparation. Minimizing contamination while improving permeability features lead to enhanced removal of organic and particulate interferences for accurate liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) quantification.
FDA Method C-010.03 is used for the analysis of 30 PFAS in food and feed, beyond just sample preparation cartridges, Restek has introduced extraction salt packets for coordinated use when Q-Sep QuEChERS extraction method is being used for C-010.03. They are packaged with 6 g of magnesium sulfate and 1.5 g of sodium chloride for easy sample handling with the QuEChERS method.
GL Sciences Inc. announced the InertSep QuEChERS kit, available for the sample suite of samples as the original QuEChERS method for example pesticide residue analysis in fruits, vegetables, grains, and processed foods. The kit is also applicable to veterinary drug residue analysis in meat, dairy, and seafood, as well as mycotoxin extraction for food safety testing.
For pesticide analysis, Resprep FL+CarboPrep Plus, originating from Restek, is applicable to the EPA’s method 8081 for organochlorine pesticides. It is a dual-bed SPE cartridge consisting of florisil and graphitized carbon black (GCB). With this cartridge, the cleanup properties of florisil are enhanced with GCB, increasing sample throughput up to tenfold. The bed contains 1000 mg of florisil and 95 mg of GCB.
Repeating the enhanced matrix removal (EMR) passthrough cleanup, the Captiva EMR Mycotoxins cartridges from Agilent were presented this past year. The application of this cartridge is for multiclass mycotoxin analysis in food and animal feed; these mycotoxin specific cartridges eliminate the need for multiple extraction protocols for multiclass mycotoxins. The 6-mL cartridge simplifies workflow, reduces matrix effects, and is also in an automation friendly format. A third Agilent cartridge that uses the enhanced matrix removal technology is a 6-mL cartridge for the analysis of lipids, fats, and other interferences from complex, fatty samples. This cartridge, named Captiva EMR Lipid HF, is a high flow size exclusion cartridge with hydrophobic interaction that significantly reduces sample processing time for complex samples such as meat and fish. The Captiva EMR Lipid HF cartridges provide highly selective and eƒicient lipid removal with fast flow rates when coupled with gravity elution. These cartridges are an excellent choice when a vacuum manifold or positive pressure manifold is not available for sample prep.
Table I shows an overview of the sample extraction cartridges introduced in the past year.
Table I: Solid-phase extraction cartridges summary
Sample Preparation Instrumentation and Accessories
Two intriguing sample preparation devices were announced by Sielc Technologies this year. The first, named Samplify, is an automated sampling system designed for unattended, routine, periodic sampling of any liquid source. The sampling instrument has a variety of features, including universal vials compatible with both liquid and gas chromatography, adjustable sample volumes (5 to 500 µL), variable quench volume and dilution ratios, automatic mixing with vial shaking, a compact probe for placement in small vessels or refrigerators, remote control, and monitoring. Along with the catchy name, the system collection options can support either a 48-vial plate of .2-mL vials or a standard 96-well plate and touts improved reproducibility, minimized cross contamination, and even gives the option of sampling in anaerobic conditions. The system consists of two components. The first, an electromechanical sample probe constructed of materials providing chemical and temperature resistance. The second, Sielc’s liquid handler system (LHS), which has the capability of pulling samples from the liquid source and distributing them into destination locations. This LHS unit has the capability to distribute quenching reagents into the samples immediately after acquisition if desired, as well as provide thorough probe cleaning to prevent sample-to-sample cross contamination. A Windows application, also entitled Samplify, is provided for control, but the system additionally has a serial command set that gives an option for custom software control. The Samplify presents a variety of options for valve configuration, syringe volumes, needle length, vial type, and tray design.
The second instrument is the Alltesta Mini-Autosampler. This instrument was co-developed by Sielc Technologies and Newcrom, Inc. Although labeled as an autosampler with simple software modifications, the instrument is multi-functional and can operate as a fraction collector or a reactor sampling probe; in addition, users can conduct consecutive sample feeding and make reagent additions or dilutions. Additionally, the Alltesta can automate sample storage and precise delivery to a microfluidic chip device that provides fluidic sample loading. A specific application the Alltesta demonstrated automates RNA fluorescent marker delivery for sequential fluorescence in situ hybridization (seqFISH+) with access to multiple bu“ ers for accurate fluorescence and piping conditions. The device’s unique features are built in shaking for sample homogeneity, in-vial extraction, and precise reagent quenching. It is controlled by serial commands, once again with an open protocol for custom software development if needed. The system is available with gradient capability of multicomponent mixtures, providing separation flexibility, or as an isocratic analyzer with constant mobile phase composition for simple quality control (QC) and routine applications. Beyond the pump operation mode difference of either the gradient or isocratic elution analyzers, the sample capacity—48 or 96 vials, injection range of -1 to 75 µL, flow rate range of -0.1 to 4.0 mL/min, and pressure limit of 4000 psi (275 bar)—is identical. The standard detector wavelengths are 275 nm, 460 nm, 520 nm, and 630 nm, but custom wavelengths above 235 nm are available. The operating temperature is from 0 ºC to 40 ºC for both systems. The systems can be used for environmental monitoring, pharmaceutical testing, and food and beverage analysis, as well as a variety of applications in biotechnology, clinical, diagnostic, and research laboratories. Figure 1 shows the Alltesta Gradient Automated Analyzer, and Figure 2 shows the results of the analysis of four phthalates dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), dipropyl phthalate (DPP), and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) on this gradient system.
Figure 1: The Alltesta Gradient Automated Analyzer. Photo courtesy of Sielc Technologies.
Figure 2: Results of the analysis of four phthalates dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), dipropyl phthalate (DPP), and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) on the Alltesta Gradient Automated Analyzer. Photo courtesy of Sielc Technologies.
The new S-EVAP+ was revealed by Organomation this past year. It is an efficient way to quickly evaporate solvents in large samples to prepare for chromatographic analysis whether conducted by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or gas chromatography (GC) with or without mass spectral detection. Designed to be a smarter, higher capacity alternative to rotary evaporation, it is able to process ten samples at once with a small footprint—ten sample flasks are arranged in a circle. Equipped with the same digital control box as earlier models, the S-EVAP+ adds the advantage of vacuum technology so that high boiling point solvents can also be removed. Flasks range from 250 mL to 2 L, and the heated water bath has a temperature range up to 100 ºC . In addition, the unit is equipped with a timer. A 97% recovery rate of starting volume can be achieved.
Aqua Trace is an automated solid phase extraction (SPE) system introduced by GL Sciences Inc. Specifically designed for high throughput water testing, the instrument can support multiple cartridges and configurations to accommodate a variety of extraction methods. The system is equipped with a function that allows for simultaneous gas purging and vacuum suction, as well as the dehydration or drying of the SPE cartridges before elution. When residual moisture on the cartridge is removed, analyte recovery is enhanced, and reproducibility improves. The device removes a significant amount of the manual handling, thus reducing human error and increasing workflow productivity. A variety of SPE cartridges can be used allowing a variety of applications. Contaminants such as PFAS, pesticides and pharmaceuticals in drinking water, environmental water, surface water, and wastewater have been tested. The instrument can handle six samples simultaneously.
Markes International and Owlstone Medical announced a novel solution to achieve high throughput screening of sorbent tubes and samples such as breathomics. The system is a dual thermal desorption GC with flame ionization detection. Volatile organic compounds, (VOCs) in exhaled breath are gaining more widespread diagnostic use as biomarkers for human health and disease (5). This novel configuration offers a noninvasive diagnostic tool that has the potential to change clinical practice. It provides a cost-effective screening mechanism for promoting early diagnosis and increasing patient positive outcomes while reducing healthcare costs. The Markes/Owlstone unit features parallel thermal desorption units paired with dual first input delay (FID) channels housed in one GC, thus achieving simultaneous analysis of two samples. Hydrogen carrier gas flow helped achieve Fast GC run times, allowing sorbent tube backgrounds to be validated and freeing GC–MS instruments for sample analysis. Linearity and precision of the instrument was acceptable on both channels, with acceptable % relative standard deviations (RSDs), as low as 0.66%; for batch-to-batch reproducibility, the %RSD was <10%. Thus far, the instrument has been demonstrated for QC testing of sorbent tubes, and factory acceptance testing to meet ISO 16000 standards.
From a sustainable perspective, the static or direct headspace analysis technique, where the gas phase above a liquid or solid sample is sampled by a syringe, does not require a solvent extraction step, thus eliminating solvent use and the generation of large amounts of waste. Direct headspace analysis also has the advantage of being fully automatable, as well as applicable to high throughput analysis. One of static headspace’s distinct limitations, however, is detection limit. Markes International has offered a solution to this limitation with trap focusing on a Centri 90 trap (6). With this focusing method, the volume of headspace is decoupled from the volume of gas sent to the GC. Larger headspace volumes, as high as 5 mL (including multiples thereof) can be extracted. Sensitivity can be increased using this multi-step enrichment technique (MSE), as peak response is increased proportionally. This poster presentation at Pittcon 2025 used the device to analyze for ethylene oxide residues and 2-chloroethanol, a degradation product of ethylene oxide, in medical devices. Concentration levels examined were from 1 to 50 µg/L ethylene oxide and 10 to 500 µg/L 2-chloroethanol, with limits of detection at 0.35 and 1.1 µg/L, respectively. Linear regression showed R2 values above 0.996 for both compounds. See Table II for an overview of the sample preparation instrumentation and accessories introduced in the past year.
Table II: Sample preparation instrumentation and accessories summary
Conclusions
By far, the trends this year focused on the sample preparation of PFAS’s for analysis in a variety of matrices: wastewater, surface water, groundwater, soil, sediment, biosolids, fish tissue, fresh produce, fresh processed food matrices, foodstuffs of animal origin, dry plant origin food, and feed. This trend will likely continue, as legislation is demanding this proof. Efforts to reduce solvent use in sample prep are also abundant, as manufacturers move to more sustainable offerings, which is commendable and should continue. Instrumentation is moving towards more controlled automation devices that are able to be programmed by the users. Well known and familiar technologies are being coupled to speed up applications, also reducing the carbon footprint.
Sample preparation is at a precipice of change in the analytical laboratory. Looking forward, we should see continued use of coupled methodology and reduced environmental impact technologies; ideally, this past year's products are just the start of dramatic changes to come.
References
(1) Raynie, D. E.; McNally, M. E. New Sample Preparation Products and Accessories for 2024. LCGC International 2024, 1 (5), 28–33. DOI: 10.56530/lcgc.int.xe8977b7
(2) Pittcon 2019 in Philadelphia Proves Successful. News Medical webpage. https://www.new-medical.netnews/20190411/Pittcon-2019-in-Philadelphia-proves-succesful.aspx?azosrc
(3) Personal Communication.
(4) PFAS, Per and Polyfluorinated Substances. https://www.pfas.gov.au/about-pfas/subtances
(5) Morris, P.; Miles, L.; Martin, H.; et al. Doubling Throughput in Volatile Chemical Measurement with Thermal Desorption. Poster presented at Pittcon 2025, Boston, MA, Session PS-I30, 2025-03-04.
(6) Cole, R.; Hearn, L.; Szafnauer, R.; et al. Fully Automated, Cryogen-Free Analysis of Ethylene Oxide Residues in Medical Devices by Multi-Step Enrichment-Headspace-Trap. Poster presented at Pittcon 2025, Boston, MA, Session PS-P54, 2025-03-05.
About the Author
Mary Ellen McNally is an FMC Fellow at the Stine Research Center for FMC Corporation. Dr. McNally was named to the Analytical Scientist Power List as one of the Top 50 most influential women in the analytical sciences, has received the American Microchemical Society Steyermark Award in the field of microanalysis, the Chromatography Forum of Delaware Valley Award for contributions to the field of chromatography, and has been recognized for her contributions to the field of supercritical fluids by the Midwest SFC Discussion and the Tri-State Analytical Supercritical Fluid Discussion Groups.
