Solid Phase Extraction (SPE)
Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) is a broad term to describe the digital (step wise) separation technique where liquids contact sorbents, and organic compounds or ions in the liquid adsorb to the functional group(s) of the sorbent.
• Sorbents are chosen to either retain the components of interest, or selectively release them into a strong liquid phase
• SPE manufacturers commonly pack these sorbents into cartridges, well plates, dispersive tubes or other convenient devices
• SPE is “digital” (step-wise) – Mobile phases are chosen so analytes are 100% adsorbed on the stationary phase, or 100% in the mobile phase
• SPE is used for extraction, concentration and purification
• Sorbents are available in many forms: Silica based, Polymeric, Alumina, and Carbon(s)
• For all fields of application, silica based sorbents are the most common sorbents used
• Silica based sorbents give the greatest number of stationary phase choices for extraction
• Silica based sorbents are very rugged (Stable over a wide pH and solvent range)
• Silica based sorbents are the most cost effective
Common SPE Applications:
(Environmental, Pharmaceutical and Forensic)
• Pharmaceutical compounds and metabolites in biological fluids
• Drugs of abuse in biological fluids
• Environmental pollutants in drinking and waste water
• Pesticides and antibiotics in food/agricultural matrices
• Desalting of proteins and peptides
• Fractionation of lipids
• Water and fat soluble vitamins
Related Topic: QuEChERS Sample Preparation - It's Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe
SPE Products
UCT SPE
• Solid phase extraction columns
• Clean Screen: for forensic applications.
• Clean-Up: for general sample prep
• Enviro-Clean: for environmental applications
• Styre Screen: polymeric columns for acids, neutrals and bases
• XtrackT: Gravity-flow SPE columns for viscous samples such as equine urine, post-mortem blood and tissues, amniotic fluid, and meconium.
• Buffer Pouches: 'Ready-to-use' phosphate and acetate buffer pouches. They are a convenient way to accurately preparing the necessary reagents, at the proper pH and concentration
• Manifolds
• Bulk Sorbents
UCT Horizon SPE Automation Systems
• SmartPrep™ Extractor - simplifies cartridge-based SPE
• DryVap™ Concentrator - removes water and concentrates samples through evaporation of the extraction solvent
• SPE-DEX 4790 - SPE system capable of processing aqueous samples directly in their original container
SPE Resources
UCT 2013 Solid Phase Extraction Environmental Catalogue
Click here to download the PDF
or contact our customer service team to request a copy of literature code UCT07