Miniaturized Sample Preparation and Separation Methods for Environmental and Drug Analyses

Abstract

Miniaturized extraction and separation media have been successfully developed from precisely controlled technologies. In this article, recent developments in these high performance analytical methods, such as miniaturized sample preparation methods and the coupling of these techniques with microscale separation systems, have been reviewed, along with some applications to environmental and biological analysis. The advantage of the miniaturization is not only for the environmental compatibility but also for the developments of the high performance analytical systems. Down-sizing also makes it possible to investigate and introduce various compounds and materials as novel media (such as tailor-made materials and devices) in separation science. As a typical example of the novel miniaturized sample preparation system, the applications of fibrous materials for microcolumn liquid-phase separation methods are described.

High-Temperature Separations on a Polymer-Coated Fibrous Stationary Phase in Microcolumn Liquid Chromatography

“…[9][10][11][12][13][14] By introducing fine fibrous materials as the extraction medium, several novel microscale sample preparation techniques were developed based on excellent resistance to typical organic solvents. [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] These fibrous materials were also employed as a stationary phase in GC, because of their excellent thermal stability over the temperature range typically used in most of GC separations. [23][24][25][26][27] Coated with typical polysiloxane-based materials onto the surface of the fibrous materials, the retentivity was significantly improved, and also the selectivity could be designed on the basis of the type of polymeric coatings.…”

Rapid Temperature-Programmed Separation and Retention Prediction on a Novel Packed-Capillary Column in Gas Chromatography

“…Introducing polymer-coated fine fibrous materials as a stationary phase in GC, a significant miniaturization of the column was reported, [4][5][6][7] similar to the development of microscale sample preparation devices, where the filaments were packed into a short polymeric tubing, such as polyetheretherketone or polytetrafluoroethylene to prepare capillary-based extraction cartridges. [8][9][10] Packed with a bundle of filaments having a polymeric coating material thereon, a parallel alignment of these filaments was formed in a short capillary, and the resulting polymer-coated fiber-packed columns showed a satisfactory separation performance with a fast temperature-programming rate in GC.…”

Miniaturization for the Development of High Performance Separation Systems

“…Conditions: column, deactivated stainless steel capillary (0.3 mm i.d., 0.05 m) packed with polymer-coated (HR-1, 5%) Zylon filaments; number of packed-filaments, 450; temperature program, A) 50°C to 140°C at 45°C/min and B) 50°C to 140°C at 60°C/min; column head pressure, 50 kPa; sample injection volume, 1 μL (splitless injection) of 0.1% solution in dichloromethane. [66][67][68][69][70][71][72][73][74]. The longitudinal parallel alignment of the fine filaments make it possible to create a set of many through-flow passes in the capillary, allowing a low pressure drop through the capillary.…”