Simplified LC/GC Sample Preparation
Simplified sample preparation from aqueous matrices for HPLC or Gas Chromatography with Immobilized Liquid Extraction (ILE).
- Easy to use
- Reduced solvent usage and solid waste production
- Decreased labor costs
- Simplified analytical procedures
- Improved data precision
- Eliminates the need for thermal desorption devices, separatory funnels, SPME fibers, SPE cartridges and disks, and preconditioning steps
Compare ILE to SPE and LLE
ILE is a simplified extraction procedure for sampling small molecule organic compounds in aqueous matrices (water, urine, serum, etc.). The ILE process involves a device coated with a sorptive elastomeric polymer, such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), which acts as the extraction medium. A targeted compound in a sample is extracted into the device's coating, and can later be desorped into as little as 100 - 200 µL of a solvent of choice. ILE devices are able to extract organic compounds from samples as small as 10 µL to as large as 1 L (or more).
ILE eliminates the need for:
- An extensive catalog of labware (separatory funnels, evaporation tubes, etc.)
- Significant capital expenses (thermal desorption unit, vacuum system, solvent concentrator, etc.)
- Requires only a source of agitation (plate vortexor, orbital shaker, etc.)
- Specially trained and experienced lab technicians (e.g., in the case of SPE techniques)
- Large amounts of human involvement in extractions
- Preconditioning
- Large quantities of solvent
- Solvent concentration steps
Advantages
- Format: equilibrium dependent extraction conducted in a closed system (e.g., sealed ILE Well Plate, vial sealed with ILE Cap)
- Extractions may be performed in the field or during sample transportation
- Permits easy archiving of samples for later analysis
- Limits many potential sources of contamination or analyte loss by eliminating extraneous sample manipulation steps
- Impervious to common sample preparation complications (clogged media, emulsion, sample loss)
- Reduces per-extraction 'preparation' steps to only those universally required for the specific method (e.g., pH adjustment to ensure neutral species extraction)
- No sorbent pre-conditioning or protein crashing
