Current trends in affinity-based monoliths in microextraction approaches: A review

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Biotechnology
• Materials Science

Background:

• Monolithic materials are increasingly used in microextraction techniques.
• Affinity-based sorbents leverage specific binding agents for selective analyte capture.
• Recent research focuses on developing novel monolithic affinity sorbents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review research on monolithic materials for affinity-based microextraction sorbents over the past five years.
• To detail binding agents, preparation methods, and formats for these sorbents.
• To highlight analytical and preparative applications and future trends.

Main Methods:

• Review of scientific literature on monolithic affinity sorbents.
• Categorization of binding agents (ligands) used in sorbent development.
• Description of monolith preparation and ligand immobilization strategies.
• Analysis of various formats for micro-solid phase extraction (micro-SPE).

Main Results:

• Identification of diverse binding agents including proteins, aptamers, and nanoparticles.
• Overview of fabrication techniques for monolithic structures and ligand attachment.
• Presentation of various formats like syringes, pipette tips, and microfluidic devices.
• Demonstration of applications in analytical chemistry, biotechnology, and proteomics.

Conclusions:

• Monolithic affinity sorbents represent a significant advancement in microextraction-based sample preparation.
• These materials offer high selectivity and efficiency for diverse applications.
• Future directions include further refinement of materials and expansion into new analytical challenges.