Current trends on microextraction by packed sorbent - fundamentals, application fields, innovative improvements and...

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Separation Science
• Sample Preparation

Background:

• Solid-Phase Extraction (SPE) is a widely used sample preparation technique.
• Microextraction by Packed Sorbent (MEPS) is a miniaturized version of SPE.
• MEPS offers advantages in terms of speed, sample volume, and environmental impact.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the strengths and weaknesses of MEPS.
• To analyze MEPS architectures and applications reported in the last five years.
• To highlight innovative improvements and new MEPS configurations.

Main Methods:

• Review of scientific literature on MEPS applications over the past five years.
• Analysis of commercially available MEPS architectures.
• Evaluation of innovative MEPS configurations and sorbents.

Main Results:

• MEPS significantly reduces sample and solvent consumption compared to SPE.
• MEPS is versatile and can handle a wide range of sample volumes.
• Recent advancements include controlled directional flow and the μSPEed variant.

Conclusions:

• MEPS is a highly effective and environmentally friendly alternative to SPE.
• The technique's reliability and versatility are enhanced by semiautomatic electronic syringes.
• Ongoing innovations continue to expand the applicability of MEPS.