In-Tube Solid-Phase Microextraction Directly Coupled to Mass Spectrometric Systems: A Review

Abstract

Since it was introduced in 1997, in-tube solid-phase microextraction (in-tube SPME), which uses a capillary column as extraction device, has been continuously developed as online microextraction coupled to LC systems (in-tube SPME-LC). In the last decade, new couplings have been evaluated on the basis of state-of-the-art LC instruments, including direct coupling of in-tube SPME to MS/MS systems, without chromatographic separation, for high-throughput analysis. In-tube SPME coupling to MS/MS has been possible thanks to the selectivity of capillary column coatings and MS/MS systems (SRM mode). Different types of capillary columns (wall-coated open-tubular, porous-layer open-tubular, sorbent-packed, porous monolithic rods, or fiber-packed) with selective stationary phases have been developed to increase the sorption capacity and selectivity of in-tube SPME. This review focuses on the in-tube SPME principle, extraction configurations, current advances in direct coupling to MS/MS systems, experimental parameters, coatings, and applications in different areas (food, biological, clinical, and environmental areas) over the last years.

In‐tube solid‐phase microextraction (sulfopropyl methacrylate‐co‐ethylene glycol dimethacrylate monolithic capillary) coupled to LC–MS/MS to determine beta amyloid peptides in Alzheimer's cerebrospinal fluid samples

“…Sample pH is probably the most important parameter that should be evaluated on the in‐tube SPME procedure for analytes containing pH‐dependent dissociable groups [44]. Aβ peptides have an isoelectric point of approximately 5.2 due to their acidic, neutral, and basic amino acid residues [30].…”