Automated Solid Phase Extraction

An overview is given in this chapter of the main potential benefits of using automated Solid phase Extraction (SPE) in the preparation of food samples for LC-MS analysis, both in terms of quality of results and in terms of performance and productivity. Automated SPE instrumentation is described and a range of application examples are given. The foods used in these applications range from non-fatty vegetables, to more complex vegetables, fish, prawn meat, and water, a vital raw product for the food and beverage industries. In most applications previously reported, the SPE technique was mainly used for sample cleanup prior to analysis. Additional examples are given here in which automated SPE is combined with analyte concentration, analyte derivatization, or addition of liquids such as internal standards to further improve limits of quantitation, selectivity, stability and quality of the analysis.