EVOLUTE® EXPRESS - Solid Phase Extraction Columns

Significance of the Topic

Solid phase extraction (SPE) remains a cornerstone technique for isolating trace analytes from complex biological and environmental matrices. Enhancements in SPE hardware and sorbent chemistry directly affect throughput, reproducibility, and overall laboratory productivity. The EVOLUTE EXPRESS SPE columns address these challenges by combining optimized polymeric sorbents with advanced column design to eliminate conditioning and equilibration steps, paving the way for faster, more consistent sample preparation.

Study Objectives and Overview

This application note evaluates the performance of EVOLUTE EXPRESS SPE columns relative to conventional SPE formats. Primary objectives include:

• Comparing flow rates during sample loading and washing.
• Quantifying total processing time for large sample batches (96-well format).
• Assessing the impact on analyte recovery and method robustness.

The study employs a simple load–wash–elute workflow, bypassing traditional pre-conditioning stages to streamline the procedure.

Methodology

Pooled human urine was diluted 1:3 with water and processed across multiple columns (n=12) using a Biotage Pressure+ instrument at 1 psi. The protocol included:

• Direct application of aqueous sample onto a dry EVOLUTE EXPRESS column.
• An interference wash step to remove matrix components.
• Elution with methanol containing formic acid.

For comparison, a leading competing SPE product underwent the equivalent steps but required both conditioning with methanol and equilibration with aqueous solvent.

Instrumentation

A suite of Biotage platforms was employed to demonstrate compatibility and throughput gains:

• Biotage Pressure+ SPE processing station
• Biotage Extrahera™ automated sample preparation system
• Biotage VacMaster-96™ manifold holder for 96×1 mL tabless columns

Main Results and Discussion

EVOLUTE EXPRESS columns achieved complete sample loading in under 15 s per column, whereas the competitor required up to 210 s and elevated pressure (up to 5 psi) to process the same volume. Overall, automated processing of 96 samples was reduced from 33.15 minutes (standard SPE workflow) to 24.02 minutes using the load–wash–elute EVOLUTE EXPRESS protocol, representing a 30 % time saving. Notably, analyte recovery remained consistent, demonstrating that high flow rates did not compromise extraction efficiency.

Benefits and Practical Applications

The streamlined EVOLUTE EXPRESS workflow offers:

• Significant reduction in hands-on time by eliminating conditioning/equilibration.
• Enhanced throughput for high-volume laboratories performing routine bioanalysis or QA/QC checks.
• Consistent flow profiles across columns, improving reproducibility.
• Cost efficiency via tabless column formats that integrate with 96-well racks.

These improvements make the method attractive for clinical, pharmaceutical, and environmental testing labs where speed and reliability are essential.

Future Trends and Opportunities

Advancements may include integration of novel sorbent materials to target emerging analytes, further automation using robotic liquid handlers, and coupling SPE directly with mass spectrometry for real-time analysis. Miniaturized SPE formats and AI-driven method optimization are likely to drive next-generation workflows, reducing solvent consumption and enhancing green analytical chemistry initiatives.

Conclusion

The EVOLUTE EXPRESS SPE columns deliver a rapid, reliable load–wash–elute approach that eliminates traditional conditioning steps without sacrificing extraction performance. By reducing cycle times by up to 30 % in high-throughput formats, these columns support efficient, reproducible workflows critical for modern analytical laboratories.