Your Essential Resource for SAMPLE PREPARATION

Significance of Topic

Sample preparation is a critical step in chromatography workflows. Effective cleanup and concentration of analytes prior to separation and detection improve sensitivity, extend column lifetime, reduce matrix interferences, and ensure reliable quantification. Agilent’s comprehensive portfolio addresses the growing demand for streamlined, reproducible, and high-throughput sample preparation across diverse applications in environmental, food, pharmaceutical, and clinical laboratories.

Objectives and Overview

This Agilent catalogue presents an integrated suite of sample preparation products designed to span every stage of chromatographic analysis. It aims to guide users in selecting the optimal techniques—solid phase extraction (SPE), QuEChERS, supported liquid extraction (SLE), filtration, and microextraction—for their samples and target analytes. The catalogue details sorbent chemistries, formats, and accessory devices to maximize method performance and throughput.

Methodology and Instrumentation

Agilent’s sample preparation methods are based on standardized protocols and proprietary sorbent technologies:

• Bond Elut SPE products offer bonded silica and polymeric phases for reversed-phase, normal-phase, mixed-mode, and ion-exchange separations across tube and 96-well formats.
• Bond Elut Plexa polymeric SPE combines a hydroxylated surface and hydrophobic core for cleaner extracts and reduced ion suppression.
• QuEChERS extraction and dispersive SPE kits simplify multiclass pesticide analysis in fruits and vegetables using preweighed salts and sorbents.
• Captiva filtration plates and cartridges enable centrifugation-free protein precipitation, phospholipid removal, and particulate removal with nondrip designs for high-throughput bioanalysis.
• Chem Elut supported liquid extraction and Hydromatrix diatomaceous earth cartridges facilitate rapid LLE workflows for biofluids and reaction mixtures.
• Solid phase microextraction fibers and OMIX tips support microvolume enrichment for proteomics and small molecule analyses.
• Accessories such as positive pressure manifold processors (PPM-48, PPM-96), Vac Elut vacuum systems, and VersaPlate formats automate and scale workflows.

Main Results and Discussion

Performance data highlights:

• Bond Elut Plexa SPE demonstrates improved recoveries and reduced matrix effects compared to conventional polymers.
• QuEChERS methods achieve fast, reliable extraction of pesticide residues with high recoveries across AOAC and EN protocols.
• Captiva ND Lipids filtration effectively removes phospholipids and proteins, minimizing ion suppression and extending LC column and MS source lifetimes.
• SPE and filtration efficiency studies show Agilent filters exceed competitors in particulate removal, flow rate, and loading capacity.
• Positive pressure platforms deliver uniform flow across wells and cartridges, eliminating variability associated with vacuum manifolds.

Benefits and Practical Applications

Agilent sample preparation solutions deliver:

• Streamlined workflows that reduce hands-on time and support automation in manual or high-throughput labs.
• Cleaner extracts that enhance chromatographic resolution, sensitivity, and data quality.
• Flexible formats—from 1 mL cartridges to 96-well plates and VersaPlate customizable assemblies—to match any laboratory throughput and sample volume.
• Extensive sorbent chemistries for virtually any analyte class and matrix, supporting method development and regulatory compliance.
• Comprehensive accessory ecosystem—filters, frits, manifolds, homogenizers, and adapters—for robust, end-to-end solutions.

Future Trends and Opportunities

Emerging opportunities in sample preparation include:

• Integration of sample cleanup with direct-to-MS techniques and online SPE systems for real-time streamlining of analysis.
• Development of greener, solvent-minimized workflows through microextraction and low-volume SPE formats.
• Expansion of sorbent chemistries targeting challenging analytes, such as polar metabolites and nanoparticles.
• Advanced automation and remote diagnostics to further increase reproducibility, uptime, and laboratory efficiency.

Conclusion

Agilent’s sample preparation portfolio represents a unified approach to chromatography-ready extracts. By combining proven chemistries, validated protocols, and innovative devices, laboratories can achieve superior performance, productivity gains, and consistent results across a broad range of applications. Continued development in high-throughput automation, novel sorbents, and integrated workflows will drive further efficiency and analytical rigor.

References

• No external literature references were provided in the source text.