Sample Preparation

A simple method for the analysis of leachables using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography, coupled to mass spectrometry (GCxGC–MS). This fully automated method bypasses the use of solvents and excessive sample handling. Four potential leachables were tentatively identified.

Douglas E. Raynie explores formal and informal training opportunities that may be available to educate all chemists in the fundamentals of necessary laboratory sample preparation skills.

Oliver Napoleon Hill (1883– 1970) was an American self-help author once described as ”the most famous conman you’ve probably never heard of” (1 ). Conman maybe, but there is a quote of his that I believe to be particularly true when considering sample preparation for chromatography techniques; ”The one who tries to get something for nothing generally winds up getting nothing for something.”

In electromembrane extraction (EME), the target analyte is extracted from an aqueous sample across a supported liquid membrane (SLM) and analyzed using LC. Through the study presented here, we demonstrate the principles of the technique and test its performance.

When working with complex samples, we need effective approaches to deal with matrix interferences. Here, we outline methods of sample preparation, on-line sample treatment, and instrument tools that can help. We also provide examples of applications and guidance for how to evaluate the best option for your complex sample.

This selection of influential recent papers on chromatographic sample preparation gives us a sense of important developments.

A top-down approach to quantifying intact proteins from biological fluids using liquid chromatography–triple quadrupole–mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) offers the potential for more absolute quantitation than bottom-up approaches. To make this broadly viable, however, commercial sample preparation tools are needed.

Paper-based sorptive phases are promising tools in sample preparation because of their high surface-to-volume ratio, porosity, and versatility. This article discusses the synthesis of paper-based sorptive phases by dip coating. This procedure has allowed a wide variety of phases coated with polymers, nanoparticles, and their combination to be synthesized. This article presents the synthesis, types of coatings, and extraction devices, to highlight the versatility and potential of these materials to the analytical community, particularly for sample preparation.

Sampling can be the most demanding part of an analysis. Anybody in charge of sampling needs a good understanding of the composition of the material to be investigated, its heterogeneity (or homogeneity, in simple cases), and the chemical properties of the analytes. Sampling procedures must be described in detail. Detecting the bias of a sampling procedure can be difficult; this fact is trivial, but it must not be forgotten.

Click the title above to open The Chromatography & Sample Preparation Terminology Guide special issue in an interactive PDF format.

The improved performance of chromatographic detectors, most notably mass spectrometers (MS), has enabled many advances in analytical science, however, one such advance may be given less prominence than perhaps it should.

A new technique, ICE concentration linked with extractive stirrer (ICECLES), provides highly efficient isolation of trace compounds from aqueous samples. ICECLES combines freeze concentration with stir-bar sorptive extraction into a seamless analytical extraction methodology.

Proper sample preparation is vital. We look at formal and informal training opportunities to educate chemists in the fundamentals of sample preparation skills.

Bioanalysis with SPME has advanced greatly over the past decade.

Traditional sample preparation method development can often be laborious and costly. Understanding the underlying concepts of the technique can help food and environmental laboratories develop methods in notoriously complex matrices, faster, more efficiently, and provide better chromatography. With the presence of many unique matrices and analytes, methods such as QuEChERS, supported liquid extraction (SLE), or solid-phase extraction (SPE) provide the necessary adaptability for many types of extractions. With customizable methods to work with unique matrices and with the addition of automation, extractions can be improved to save time and provide consistent recoveries.

Whether or not headspace sampling is quantitative depends on the information gleaned from the analysis

Our yearly report on new products covers sample preparation instrumentation, supplies, and accessories. New sample preparation technologies introduced in the past year, while not necessarily disruptive, take giant leaps in that direction.

A snapshot of key trends and developments in the chromatography sector according to selected panellists from companies who exhibited at Analytica 2018.

A look at recent advances in SPME, such as increasing the sorbent surface area available for extraction, accommodating direct analysis by mass spectrometry, and sorbent overcoating to resist fouling by sugars and lipids

Click the title above to open the LCGC North America February 2018 Chromatography and Sample Preparation Terminology Guide, Vol 36 No s2, in an interactive PDF format.

Part I of this series on practical perspectives of data integrity focuses on sample management, transport, and preparation.

LCGC, the leading resource for separation scientists, is proud to announce that Ronald E. Majors and Zachary S. Breitbach are the winners of the 11th annual LCGC Lifetime Achievement and Emerging Leader in Chromatography Awards, respectively. Majors and Breitbach will be honored in a symposium as part of the technical program at the Pittcon 2018 conference in Orlando, Florida, on February 26, 2018.

In this extended special feature to celebrate the 30th anniversary edition of LCGC Europe, leading figures from the separation science community explore contemporary trends in separation science and identify possible future developments. We asked key opinion leaders in the field to discuss the current state of the art in sample preparation.

The persistent nature and toxicity of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) lead to high demands for quick and accurate sample analysis. This article describes the use of automated sample processing techniques such as pressurized liquid extraction and automated column chromatography cleanup that are suitable for environmental sample analysis.

CAE is a versatile sample preparation tool for aqueous samples.

Traditional extraction methods for food samples, such as liquid-liquid extraction and Soxhlet extraction, are often time-consuming and require large amounts of organic solvents. Therefore, one of the objectives of analytical food safety studies currently has been the development of new extraction techniques that can improve the accuracy and precision of analytical results and simplify the analytical procedure.

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.