Solid-Phase Microextraction

Abstract

Undoubtedly, sample preparation is one of the most important steps in the analytical process. It is estimated that approximately 60% of workload, time, and cost are devoted to sample preparation. Among other modern sample preparation techniques, solid-phase microextraction (SPME) is a state-of-the-art, solvent-free technology that was developed by the research group of Pawliszyn [1] in 1989. Due to the fact of its versatility, reliability, low cost, and sampling convenience (i.e., on-site sampling), SPME has been widely used in combination with separation techniques (e.g., LC, GC, and CE) in academic research and routine analyses. Up to now, SPME has been successfully utilized in numerous applications in various scientific fields. As a result of its impact, a search in Scopus revealed almost 2000 publications (e.g., research articles, reviews, book chapters) reporting research/applications using SPME. The present Special Issue includes sixteen outstanding contributions covering the latest research trends and applications of SPME. The advantages of SPME were exploited by the research group of Koziel [2] in their research work "Development of Time-Weighted Average Sampling of Odorous Volatile Organic Compounds in Air with Solid-Phase Microextraction Fiber Housed Inside a GC Glass Liner: Proof of Concept". One of the primary goals of the work was to fabricate a rugged SPME-based sampler that can be deployed for longer periods in remote locations. Acetic acid was utilized as a model compound, since it is the most abundant VOC in any animal facility including swine farms. The researchers concluded that Car/PDMS material provided superior performance compared to other materials. An analogous topic is published by Kenessov et al. [3] in their research regarding "Optimization of Time-Weighted Average Air Sampling by Solid-Phase Microextraction Fibers Using Finite Element Analysis Software". An SPME model was developed with both absorptive and adsorptive fibers located inside a protective needle using a finite element analysis-based software. This model was utilized to determine the potential sources of quantification inaccuracies of the time-weighted average sampling of VOCs in ambient air. Various SPME parameters were investigated and optimized. Using the modeling results, alternative sampling geometries were proposed. The research group of Queiroz [4] present "A Dual Ligand Sol-Gel Organic-Silica Hybrid Monolithic Capillary for In-Tube SPME-MS/MS to Determine Amino Acids in Plasma Samples". A hybrid organic-silica monolithic capillary column with amino and cyano groups was fabricated and evaluated as an extraction device for in-tube SPME. The manufactured material was characterized using various techniques including scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nitrogen sorption experiments, among others. The in-tube SPME was utilized for the extraction of amino acids and neurotransmitters from plasma samples obtained from schizophrenic patients. The detection of the analytes was carried out us...