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Updated: Apr 22, 2026
Fabrication of a Dipole-assisted Solid Phase Extraction Microchip for Trace Metal Analysis in Water Samples
Published on: August 7, 2016
3D-printed removable-cap device with embedded magnet for magnetic solid phase extraction.
Camilla Fonseca Silva1, Matheus Martins Guedes2, Daiane Dulcileia Moraes de Paula2
1Departamento de Ciências Naturais, Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei (UFSJ), Campus Dom Bosco, Praça Dom Helvécio 74, Fábricas, São João del-Rei, Minas Gerais, 36301-160, Brazil; Departamento de Química, Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil.
A novel 3D-printed magnetic removable-cap device simplifies magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE), improving efficiency and reducing costs for analyzing drugs in human plasma. This green analytical method enhances reproducibility and minimizes solvent use.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) is crucial for sample preparation but faces challenges in magnet handling and pipetting, leading to increased time, variability, and costs.
- Conventional MSPE methods often require complex manipulation and significant solvent volumes, impacting operational efficiency and environmental footprint.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a 3D-printed magnetic removable-cap extraction device to simplify MSPE procedures.
- To synthesize and characterize a novel magnetic polypyrrole adsorbent for efficient extraction of target analytes.
- To assess the performance of the developed device and adsorbent for the determination of nifedipine and nimodipine in human plasma.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis and characterization of a restricted-double-access magnetic polypyrrole adsorbent with mesoporous and hydrophobic properties.
- Utilized a 3D-printed magnetic removable-cap device for sample extraction, optimizing parameters such as adsorbent mass, plasma volume, pH, elution solvent, and agitation time.
- Analyzed nifedipine and nimodipine in human plasma using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV).
Main Results:
- The 3D-printed device demonstrated a faster workflow and simpler operation compared to conventional MSPE methods.
- Optimized conditions achieved suitable precision and accuracy for analyte extraction, with efficient macromolecule removal (93%).
- The HPLC-UV method exhibited good linearity (100-3500 ng/mL), selectivity, and accuracy, with low limits of detection (50 ng/mL) and quantitation (100 ng/mL).
- The magnetic adsorbent proved reusable for up to three cycles without performance degradation.
Conclusions:
- The combination of the 3D-printed device and magnetic adsorbent provides an efficient, selective, and reproducible method for determining nifedipine and nimodipine in human plasma.
- This integrated workflow significantly minimizes sample handling and solvent consumption, offering a rapid and reliable bioanalytical sample preparation alternative.
- The developed approach aligns with green analytical chemistry principles, presenting an eco-friendly solution for complex sample matrices.
