Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) is a sample preparation method developed to solve some of the analytical challenges of sample preparation as well as sample introduction and integration of different analytical steps into one system. Since its development, the utilization of SPME has addressed the need to facilitate rapid sample preparation and integrate sampling, extraction, concentration and sample introduction to an analytical instrument into one solvent-free step. This achievement resulted in fast adoption of the technique in many fields of analytical chemistry and successful hyphenation to continuously developing sophisticated separation and detection systems. However, the facilitation of high-quality analytical methods in combination with SPME requires optimization of the parameters that affect the extraction efficiency of this sample preparation method. Therefore, the objective of the current protocol is to provide a detailed sequence of SPME optimization steps that can be applied toward development of SPME methods for a wide range of analytical applications.

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Analysis of organic compounds in samples characterized by different composition of the matrix is very important in many areas. A vast majority of organic compound determinations are performed using gas or liquid chromatographic methods. It is thus very important that these methods have negligible environmental impact. Chromatographic techniques have the potential to be greener at all steps of the analysis, from sample collection and preparation to separation and final determination. The paper summarizes the approaches used to accomplish the goals of green chromatography. While complete elimination of sample preparation would be an ideal approach, it is not always practical. Solventless extraction techniques offer a very good alternative. Where solvents must be used, the focus should be on the minimization of their consumption. The approaches used to make chromatographic separations greener differ depending on the type of chromatography. In gas chromatography it is advisable to move away from using helium as the carrier gas because it is a non-renewable resource. GC separations using low thermal mass technology can be greener because of energy savings offered by this technology. In liquid chromatography the focus should be on the reduction of solvent consumption and replacement of toxic and environmentally hazardous solvents with more benign alternatives. Multidimensional separation techniques have the potential to make the analysis greener in both GC and LC. The environmental impact of the method is often determined by the location of the instrument with respect to the sample collection point.