Outstanding Analytical Performance Begins with the Best Sample Preparation

Importance of the topic

High-quality sample preparation is the foundation for reliable and reproducible analytical results in modern laboratories. Inadequate or inefficient cleanup can lead to instrument downtime, column fouling, retention shifts, poor sensitivity, and increased maintenance costs. By optimizing each stage of sample preparation, chemists can enhance productivity, extend instrument life, and improve data quality.

Objectives and overview

This study provides an overview of Agilent’s comprehensive sample preparation portfolio, covering key workflows:

• Particulate removal by syringe filtration
• Protein precipitation (PPT) and phospholipid cleanup
• Solid supported liquid extraction (SLE)
• QuEChERS methods for pesticides and contaminants
• Solid phase extraction (SPE) with over 40 sorbent options
• Solid phase micro-extraction (SPME) for headspace analysis

Each section highlights performance advantages, workflow efficiencies, and practical applications in biological, food, and environmental matrices.

Methodology and instrumentation

Agilent workflows combine robust consumables and state-of-the-art instrumentation:

• Syringe filtration using Captiva Premium filters (PES, nylon, RC) for rapid particulate removal
• 96-well and cartridge-format Captiva EMR–Lipid products for combined protein crash and lipid cleanup
• Chem Elut SLE cartridges and plates with inert diatomaceous earth for emulsion-free liquid-liquid extraction
• Bond Elut QuEChERS kits with precise salt formulations and dSPE sorbents (PSA, GCB, C18EC, EMR–Lipid) for multi-residue analysis
• Bond Elut SPE phases (silica and polymeric) across mixed-mode, ion-exchange, and specialty sorbents in cartridge and 96-well formats
• SPME fibers and kits for volatile headspace sampling
• Positive-pressure manifolds (48- and 96-well) for consistent flow and high-throughput processing
• Analytical platforms: InfinityLab Poroshell LC columns, J&W Ultra Inert GC columns, 6400/6500/7000 series MS systems, and OpenLab/MassHunter software

Results and discussion

Particulate removal with Captiva Premium filters demonstrated:

• Up to 20-fold extension of sub-2 µm column lifetime when filtering latex bead suspensions
• Filtration efficiencies >95 % versus competitive products

Protein precipitation using Captiva EMR–Lipid achieved:

• Workflow time reduced from 80 min (centrifugation) to 50 min with combined protein crash and phospholipid removal
• Enhanced analyte sensitivity and reduced RSD by minimizing lipid-induced ion suppression

SLE with Chem Elut cartridges improved reproducibility by eliminating emulsions and automating extraction. QuEChERS kits yielded high recoveries and consistent cleanup across fruits, vegetables, and high-fat matrices; EMR–Lipid dSPE provided 92 % lipid removal from avocado extracts, greatly reducing source fouling and MS tuning maintenance.

Benefits and practical application

Key advantages of the integrated sample preparation portfolio include:

• Increased laboratory throughput and fewer reruns
• Extended column and MS source life
• Superior matrix removal for low-level quantitation
• Scalable formats for manual and automated workflows
• Broad applicability across pharmaceutical, food safety, environmental, and clinical analyses

Future trends and opportunities

Ongoing developments will focus on:

• Further automation and integration with laboratory information management systems
• Miniaturized and on-line sample preparation modules
• Next-generation sorbent chemistries for selective analyte capture
• Green and solvent-reduced workflows
• Machine-learning-driven method optimization for complex matrices

Conclusion

Agilent’s sample preparation solutions address the most critical challenges in modern analytical workflows. By combining high-performance consumables with advanced instrumentation and software, laboratories can achieve robust, reproducible, and high-throughput analyses, ultimately delivering more reliable data and reducing operational costs.

References

No formal references were provided in the source document. All data and performance claims are based on Agilent internal evaluations and application notes.