SPE Cartridges

Solid phase extraction (SPE) is an increasingly useful sample preparation technique. With SPE, many of the problems associated with liquid-liquid extraction can be prevented, such as incomplete phase separations, less-than-quantitative recoveries, use of expensive, breakable specialty glassware and disposal of large quantities of organic solvents. SPE is more efficient than liquid-liquid extraction, yields quantitative extractions that are easy to perform, is rapid and can be automated. Solvent use and lab time are reduced. SPE is used most often to prepare liquid samples and extract semi-volatile or nonvolatile analytes, but can also be used with solids that are pre-extracted into solvents. SPE products are excellent for sample extraction, concentration, and cleanup. They are available in a wide variety of chemistries, adsorbents, and sizes. Selecting the most suitable product for each application and sample is important.

The advantage of the SPE is in the purity of the extracts. Thus, it is especially suitable for sophisticated analysis, such as trace analysis. With the right choice of SPE, sorbent required substances can be extracted and enriched selectively, even if they have different polarities. SPE cartridges are available with many different sorbents. These correspond to the usual filling materials of HPLC columns, such as reversed phase, normal phase, ion exchange or mixed-mode phase.