Journal of Chromatography & Separation Techniques
Open Access

Abstract

Capsule Phase Microextraction: The Total and Ultimate Sample Preparation Approach

Samanidou V, Georgiadis DE, Kabir A and Furton KG

Although analytical instrument has enjoyed unprecedented improvements in recent years, resulting in miniaturization, enhanced sensitivity, robust control systems as well as extended separation and detection capability, analytical and bioanalytical sample preparation still remain as the most challenging and time-consuming step in the analytical workflow. Collection of a representative sample is generally followed by a series of operations, collectively known as sample preparation and often include filtration, centrifugation, protein precipitation, analyte extraction, elution in organic solvent, solvent evaporation, and sample reconstitution. Many of these steps are carried out manually that ultimately prolongs the overall analysis time. Capsule Phase Microextraction (CPME), a green and new generation sample preparation technique, has been developed to streamline current state-of-the-art of sample preparation practices. It exploits the advanced material properties of inorganic-organic hybrid sorbents, integrates the filtration and sample diffusion mechanism into the device, and provides the independence of sample preparation both in the laboratory and in the field without sacrificing the convenience of the analyst and the quality of the analytical data. The article describes the development of CPME and explains its advantageous features to the current and future analytical chemists and separation scientists.