The electric field – An emerging driver in sample preparation

Electrokinetic Manipulations Combined With Direct and Ambient Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Mass spectrometry (MS) is a powerful analytical technique that typically involves sample preparation and online analytical separation before MS detection. Traditional methods often face bottlenecks in sample preparation and analytical separation, despite the rapid detection capabilities of MS. This review explores the integration of electrokinetic manipulations directly with the ionization step to enhance MS performance, focusing on methods that eliminate or simplify sample preparation and separation processes. Techniques such as paper spray, electrophoresis in nanoelectrospray ionization (nESI) emitters, induced nESI, counterflow gradient electrofocusing, and in-syringe electrokinetics are highlighted for their ability to combine extraction and ionization in a single step, significantly improving throughput. The review delves into the use of electric fields during sample preparation and separations for these methods, demonstrating the efficiency of electrophoretic methods in driving extractions, crude separations, desalting, and enhanced sensitivity. The integration of these methods directly with MS ionization aims to enhance the analytical capabilities of mass spectrometry, while reducing costs and increasing throughput relative to traditional approaches.

Strategies for capillary electrophoresis: Method development and validation for pharmaceutical and biological applications-Updated and completely revised edition

This review is in support of the development of selective, precise, fast, and validated capillary electrophoresis (CE) methods. It follows up a similar article from 1998, Wätzig H, Degenhardt M, Kunkel A. "Strategies for capillary electrophoresis: method development and validation for pharmaceutical and biological applications," pointing out which fundamentals are still valid and at the same time showing the enormous achievements in the last 25 years. The structures of both reviews are widely similar, in order to facilitate their simultaneous use. Focusing on pharmaceutical and biological applications, the successful use of CE is now demonstrated by more than 600 carefully selected references. Many of those are recent reviews; therefore, a significant overview about the field is provided. There are extra sections about sample pretreatment related to CE and microchip CE, and a completely revised section about method development for protein analytes and biomolecules in general. The general strategies for method development are summed up with regard to selectivity, efficiency, precision, analysis time, limit of detection, sample pretreatment requirements, and validation.

Multiphase electroextraction as a simple and fast sample preparation alternative for the digital image determination of doxorubicin in saliva

Monitoring chemotherapeutic drugs in biological fluids is, in many cases, extremely important for dose adjustment, the maintenance of therapies, and the control of side effects. In this work, a method for determining the doxorubicin in saliva by digital image analysis (DIA) was optimised and validated. Images from a paper point were obtained using a conventional and cheap flatbed scanner at a 600 ppp resolution. The RGB data channels were obtained from the images in a region of 15 × 15 pixels around the sorbent vertex. The paper point was used as sorbent material in sample preparation using a multiphase electroextraction system. Following optimisation using a Doehlert experimental design, the method was able to simultaneously extract 66 samples in 20 min. The high selectivity of the electric field associated with the sorption capacity of the cellulosic material allowed the chemotherapy drug to be pre-concentrated and quantified in a range between 50 and 500 μg L^-1 (R² > 0.98). The method also exhibited adequate parameters (limits of detection and quantification, recovery, and precision) indicating its potential application in the monitoring of doxorubicin and similar drugs in saliva.

R. Rocha C, Teixeira JA, Pereira JAM. Green Extraction Techniques as Advanced Sample Preparation Approaches in Biological, Food, and Environmental Matrices: A Review

Green extraction techniques (GreETs) emerged in the last decade as greener and sustainable alternatives to classical sample preparation procedures aiming to improve the selectivity and sensitivity of analytical methods, simultaneously reducing the deleterious side effects of classical extraction techniques (CETs) for both the operator and the environment. The implementation of improved processes that overcome the main constraints of classical methods in terms of efficiency and ability to minimize or eliminate the use and generation of harmful substances will promote more efficient use of energy and resources in close association with the principles supporting the concept of green chemistry. The current review aims to update the state of the art of some cutting-edge GreETs developed and implemented in recent years focusing on the improvement of the main analytical features, practical aspects, and relevant applications in the biological, food, and environmental fields. Approaches to improve and accelerate the extraction efficiency and to lower solvent consumption, including sorbent-based techniques, such as solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and fabric-phase sorbent extraction (FPSE), and solvent-based techniques (μQuEChERS; micro quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), in addition to supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and pressurized solvent extraction (PSE), are highlighted.

Effect of sample matrices on supported liquid membrane: Efficient electromembrane extraction of cathinones from biological samples

In this work, the effect of sample matrix on electromembrane extraction (EME) was investigated for the first time using cathinones (log P < 1.0) as polar basic model analytes. Ten supported liquid membranes (SLMs) were tested for EME from spiked buffer solutions, urine, and whole blood samples, respectively. For buffer solutions, SLMs containing aromatic solvents provided higher EME recovery than non-aromatic solvents, which confirmed the significance of cation-π interactions for EME of basic substances. Interestingly, when applied to urine and whole blood samples, aromatic SLMs were less efficient, while non-aromatic SLMs containing abundant hydrogen-bond acidity/basicity were efficient. These observations were explained by SLM fouling, and the antifouling property of the SLM was clearly dependent on the nature of the SLM solvent. Accordingly, a binary SLM containing aromatic 1-ethyl-2-nitrobenzene (ENB) and non-aromatic 1-undecanol (1:1 v/v) was developed. This binary SLM was not prone to fouling, and provided high recoveries of cathinones from urine and whole blood. EME based on this SLM was optimized and evaluated in combination with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and the linear ranges with R² ≥ 0.9903 for cathinones in whole blood and urine were 5-200 ng/mL and 1-200 ng/mL, respectively. The LOD and LOQ of cathinones were ranged from 0.12 to 0.54 ng/mL and 0.38-1.78 ng/mL, respectively. The repeatability and accuracy bias at three levels were ≤11% and within 10%, respectively. In addition, the matrix effect ranged from 88% to 118% was also in compliance with guidelines for bioanalytical method validation provided by the European Medicines Agency.

Electromembrane extraction in microfluidic formats

Electromembrane extraction is a microextraction technique where charged analytes are extracted across a supported liquid membrane and selectively isolated from the sample based on an electrical field. Since the introduction in 2006, there has been continuously increasing interest in electromembrane extraction, and currently close to 50 new articles are published per year. Electromembrane extraction can be performed in different technical configurations, based on standard laboratory glass vials or 96-well plate systems, and applications are typically related to pharmaceutical, environmental, and food and beverages analysis. In addition to this, conceptual research has developed electromembrane extraction into different milli- and microfluidic formats. These are much more early-stage activities, but applications among others related to organ-on-chip systems and smartphone detection indicate unique perspectives. To stimulate more research in this direction, the current article reviews the scientific literature on electromembrane extraction in milli- and microfluidic formats. About 20 original research articles have been published on this subject so far, and these are discussed critically in the following. Based on this and the authors own experiences with the topic, we discuss perspectives, challenges, and future research.

Sample Preparation and Diagnostic Methods for a Variety of Settings: A Comprehensive Review

Sample preparation is an essential step for nearly every type of biochemical analysis in use today. Among the most important of these analyses is the diagnosis of diseases, since their treatment may rely greatly on time and, in the case of infectious diseases, containing their spread within a population to prevent outbreaks. To address this, many different methods have been developed for use in the wide variety of settings for which they are needed. In this work, we have reviewed the literature and report on a broad range of methods that have been developed in recent years and their applications to point-of-care (POC), high-throughput screening, and low-resource and traditional clinical settings for diagnosis, including some of those that were developed in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. In addition to covering alternative approaches and improvements to traditional sample preparation techniques such as extractions and separations, techniques that have been developed with focuses on integration with smart devices, laboratory automation, and biosensors are also discussed.

On the design, functions, and biomedical applications of high-throughput dielectrophoretic micro-/nanoplatforms: a review

As an efficient, rapid and label-free micro-/nanoparticle separation technique, dielectrophoresis (DEP) has attracted widespread attention in recent years, especially in the field of biomedicine, which exhibits huge potential in biomedically relevant applications such as disease diagnosis, cancer cell screening, biosensing, and others. DEP technology has been greatly developed recently from the low-flux laboratory level to high-throughput practical applications. In this review, we summarize the recent progress of DEP technology in biomedical applications, including firstly the design of various types and materials of DEP electrode and flow channel, design of input signals, and other improved designs. Then, functional tailoring of DEP systems with endowed specific functions including separation, purification, capture, enrichment and connection of biosamples, as well as the integration of multifunctions, are demonstrated. After that, representative DEP biomedical application examples in aspects of disease detection, drug synthesis and screening, biosensing and cell positioning are presented. Finally, limitations of existing DEP platforms on biomedical application are discussed, in which emphasis is given to the impact of other electrodynamic effects such as electrophoresis (EP), electroosmosis (EO) and electrothermal (ET) effects on DEP efficiency. This article aims to provide new ideas for the design of novel DEP micro-/nanoplatforms with desirable high throughput toward application in the biomedical community.

Electric field-assisted multiphase extraction to increase selectivity and sensitivity in liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and paper spray mass spectrometry

In this work, for the first time, chromatographic paper was used for a multiphase extraction assisted by an electric field (MPEF) and directly coupled to paper spray mass spectrometry (PS-MS). Using this approach, five tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) were determined in oral fluid. Firstly, the MPEF conditions were optimized using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The effects of the chromatographic paper and the types of electrolyte used in the acceptor phase, the organic solvent type and the amount used in the donor phase, the extraction time, and the applied electric potential were all investigated. After optimization, the analytes were extracted from the donor solution (sample and acetonitrile 1:1 (v/v)) over a period of 10 min at 300 V, crossing the free liquid membrane (1-octanol) and reaching the acceptor phase (chromatographic paper wetted with 400 mmol L^-1 acetic acid). The method using LC-MS/MS was validated, demonstrating a linear range from 2 to 12 ng mL^-1, with detection and quantification limits of 0.13-0.25 and 0.44-0.84 ng mL^-1, respectively, an intraday precision of less than 20%, and no matrix effect observed. The optimized MPEF conditions were then applied to determine TCAs by PS-MS and for this analysis cyclobenzaprine was used as an internal standard. The easy, fast and direct approach of coupling MPEF with PS-MS analysis, as well as the pre-concentration and the low standard deviation of replicates (less than 20%), demonstrates that this method can be useful for screening in clinical and toxicological analysis.

Direct coupling of paper spray mass spectrometry and four-phase electroextraction sample preparation

This paper presents a novel coupling between a four-phase electroextraction (EE) system and paper spray mass spectrometry (PS-MS) for the extraction, pre-concentration, and direct analysis of target compounds in different samples. The approach, EE-PS-MS, is based on the sorption of analytes directly on the tip of a triangular-shaped chromatographic paper, with subsequent prompt analysis by PS-MS. Thus, no off-line extraction step is required before the PS analysis, improving the protocol efficiency and reducing the analysis time. In addition to functioning as a porous material to absorb the target compounds, the chromatographic paper also served as the support for one of the aqueous phases of the optimized four-phase electroextraction system. Extraction conditions, such as the composition of the donor and organic phases, applied electric potential, and extraction time, were optimized. Three different applications, involving biofluid, food, and water quality analysis, were evaluated as a proof-of-concept. These applications involved the determination of (i) cocaine and lidocaine in saliva, (ii) malachite green in tap water, and (iii) bisphenol A (BPA) in red wine. When compared with direct PS-MS, the novel EE-PS-MS protocol improved the sensitivities by factors ranging from 14 to 110, depending on the analyte and the sample. The electroextraction procedures were performed on a laboratory-built 66-well plate, which offered the functionality of simultaneous sample handling and, most importantly, improved analytical throughput.

Electro-enhanced solid-phase microextraction with covalent organic framework modified stainless steel fiber for efficient adsorption of bisphenol A

In this work, electro-enhanced solid-phase microextraction (EE-SPME) and covalent organic framework (COF) were adopted to improve the extraction efficiency. A conductive COF synthesized of 2,6-diaminoanthraquinone (DQ) and 1,3,5-triformylphloroglucinol (TP) was in situ bonded to the stainless steel wire via facile solution-phase approach and used as the EE-SPME fiber coating to preconcentrate a typical endocrine disruptor bisphenol A (BPA). Compared with conventional SPME, the DQTP bonded fiber coupled with EE-SPME device exhibited higher extraction efficiency and achieved extraction equilibrium within 10 min. The proposed approach based on EE-SPME and gas chromatography coupled with flame ionization detector gave a linear range of 0.05-10 μg mL^-1 and detection limit of 3 μg L^-1 (S/N = 3) with good precision (<6.7%) and reproducibility (<7.1%) spiked with 0.1, 0.5, 1.0 μg mL^-1 BPA. Quantitative determination of BPA in extracts of food packagings (mineral water bottles, milk boxes and milk tea cups) was achieved with recoveries from 88.6 to 118.0%.

Large-volume electric field-assisted multiphase extraction of malachite green from water samples: A multisample device and method validation

In this work, a new large-volume multiphase, multi-sample electroextraction device was developed and applied to selectively extract malachite green (MG) from water samples. This device was easily constructed with ordinary materials and capable of extracting ten samples simultaneously, obtaining MG preconcentrated on a solid support, to fit into a pipette tip. A multi-well plate was applied to extract MG from aquaculture water samples, and the extracts containing the desorbed MG were analysed by LC-DAD and LC-MS/MS. The signals from both detectors were used in two independent validation procedures. Linearity, matrix effect, selectivity, precision, trueness, and limits of detection and quantification were all evaluated. For both detectors, linearity was demonstrated in the range of 0.5-5 μg L^-1 (R² > 0.98). Matrix effect was insignificant for LC-DAD only, and the average preconcentration factor was about 60 times. Recoveries ranged from 94 to 113% for LC-DAD and 95-115% for LC-MS/MS analysis. ANOVA was applied to estimate the standard deviation under repeatability (6.96-8.61% for LC-DAD and 5.98-7.41% for LC-MS/MS) and within-reproducibility (6.96-8.61% for LC-DAD and 6.56-7.41% for LC-MS/MS) conditions. The limits of detection and quantification for LC-MS/MS analysis were 4.29 and 28.74 ng L^-1, respectively, while, for LC-DAD, these limits were 14.29 and 95.81 ng L^-1, respectively. The results demonstrated that the developed method was suitable for determining MG in water samples, and the large-volume multiphase, multi-sample electroextraction device proved to be a powerful sample preparation technique to obtain high clean-up and large preconcentration levels, which are of paramount importance for environmental applications.

Droplet-interfacing strategies in microscale electrophoresis for sample treatment, separation and quantification: A review

In this study, for the first time we report on a comprehensive overview of different strategies to hyphenate droplet-based sample handling and preparation with electrophoretic separation in different formats (i.e. microchip and capillary electrophoresis). Droplet-interfaced electrophoresis is an emerging technique in which micro/nanometric droplets are used as a bridge and carrier of target analytes between sample treatment and electrokinetic separation steps, thus being expected to overcome the challenges of working dimension mismatch and low degree of module integration. This review covers all works on this topic from 2006 (the year of the first communication) up to 2020, with focus being given to three principal interfacing strategies, including droplets in immiscible phases, digital microfluidics with electrowetting-on-dielectric principle and inkjet droplet generation. Different instrumental developments for such purpose, the viewpoints on pros and cons of these designs as well as application demonstrations of droplet-interfaced electrokinetic strategies are discussed.

Integration of three-phase microelectroextraction sample preparation into capillary electrophoresis

A major strength of capillary electrophoresis (CE) is its ability to inject small sample volumes. However, there is a great mismatch between injection volume (typically <100 nL) and sample volumes (typically 20-1500 µL). Electromigration-based sample preparation methods are based on similar principles as CE. The combination of these methods with capillary electrophoresis could tackle obstacles in the analysis of dilute samples. This study demonstrates coupling of three-phase microelectroextraction (3PEE) to CE for sample preparation and preconcentration of large volume samples while requiring minimal adaptation of CE equipment. In this set-up, electroextraction takes place from an aqueous phase, through an organic filter phase, into an aqueous droplet that is hanging at the capillary inlet. The first visual proof-of-concept for this set-up showed successful extraction using the cationic dye crystal violet (CV). The potential of 3PEE for bioanalysis was demonstrated by successful extraction of the biogenic amines serotonin (5-HT), tyrosine (Tyr) and tryptophan (Trp). Under optimized conditions limits of detection (LOD) were 15 nM and 33 nM for 5-HT and Tyr respectively (with Trp as an internal standard). These LODs are comparable to other similar preconcentration methods that have been reported in conjunction with CE. Good linearity (R² > 0.9967) was observed for both model analytes. RSDs for peak areas in technical replicates, interday and intraday variability were all satisfactory, i.e., below 14%. 5-HT, Tyr and Trp spiked to human urine were successfully extracted and separated. These results underline the great potential of 3PEE as an integrated enrichment technique from biological samples and subsequent sensitive metabolomics analysis.

Theoretical study on enzyme synthesis of cephalexin in a parallel-flow microreactor combined with electrically driven ATPS microextraction

A mathematical model of a microfluidic device with two aqueous phases for the simultaneous cephalexin production and its separation from a reaction mixture was developed. The model anticipates the continuous cephalexin synthesis and enzyme recyclation.

Cellulose cone tip as a sorbent material for multiphase electrical field-assisted extraction of cocaine from saliva and determination by LC-MS/MS

A porous and hydrophilic sorbent material was used in an extraction system, assisted by electric fields, for the extraction of cocaine in saliva and subsequent determination by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography associated with sequential triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). The cellulose-based material was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and X-ray diffraction. The time and voltage variables applied in the extraction process were investigated through a Doehlert experimental design, and with the best conditions found (35min and 300 V) some validation parameters were evaluated. The established working range was 1-100 μg L^-1 (R² > 0.99), and the detection and quantification limits determined were 0.3 and 0.8 μg L^-1, respectively. Recoveries from 80 to 115% and coefficient of variation ≤15 and 16% for intra-day and inter-day assays, respectively, were obtained for sample concentrations of LOQ, 5, 25, and 75 μg L^-1, indicating satisfactory accuracy and precision for the proposed method. In addition, the method presented no matrix effect, and the extraction efficiency was between 56 and 70%. The results showed that the material used has adequate physicochemical characteristics and can be applied as a sorbent and electrolyte support in multiphase extractions using electric fields.

An online field-assisted micro-solid-phase extraction device coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography for the direct analysis of solid samples

Herein, a total online device based on field-assisted extraction (FAE), micro-solid-phase extraction (μ-SPE), and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was designed. Solid samples were pretreated with ultrasound-microwave synergic effects, and then the extract was cleaned up online with a monolithic column, followed by HPLC analysis. The cross-actions between ultrasound and microwave along with other extraction parameters were studied systematically. The efficiency of this online method was verified in the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in foods and tetracycline antibiotics (TCAs) in cosmetic samples. The detection limits of nine PAHs including fluorene, phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benz[a]anthracene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, pyrene, and benzo[a]pyrene were all within 0.075-0.30 μg/kg, as well as four TCAs including oxytetracycline, tetracycline, chlortetracycline, and doxycycline were within 0.02-0.06 μg/kg. Six PAHs were found in roast potatoes and baked fish and the recoveries were in the range of 71.5-119.7% with RSDs of 0.2-10.9% (n = 3). The recoveries for TCAs in cosmetic samples were in the range of 75.3-118.0% with RSDs lower than 8.2% (n = 3). Compared with those offline methods, this total online FAE-μ-SPE-HPLC method not only simplifies the operation process, but also increases the precision and accuracy. Beyond trace analytes analysis in solid and semi-solid matrixes, application of this total online analysis method can also be extended to investigate field-assisted extraction mechanisms. Graphical abstract.

Recent advances in enhancing the sensitivity of electrophoresis and electrochromatography in capillaries and microchips (2016-2018)

One of the most cited limitations of capillary and microchip electrophoresis is the poor sensitivity. This review continues to update this series of biannual reviews, first published in Electrophoresis in 2007, on developments in the field of online/in-line concentration methods in capillaries and microchips, covering the period July 2016-June 2018. It includes developments in the field of stacking, covering all methods from field-amplified sample stacking and large-volume sample stacking, through to isotachophoresis, dynamic pH junction, and sweeping. Attention is also given to online or in-line extraction methods that have been used for electrophoresis.

Two-phase micro-electromembrane extraction across free liquid membrane for determination of acidic drugs in complex samples

A dynamic two-phase micro-electromembrane extraction (μ-EME) using electrically induced transfer of charged analytes directly into free liquid membrane (FLM) is proposed as a novel technique for improving enrichment capabilities of μ-EME. The presented set-up employs aqueous sample as donor solution and water immiscible organic solvent (1-octanol) as FLM, which form the two-phase μ-EME system for efficient extraction of model acidic drugs (ibuprofen, ketoprofen, naproxen and diclofenac) from standard solutions, human urine, human serum and wastewater samples. The FLM eliminates migration of matrix components from the complex samples and simultaneously it acts as an acceptor solution for selective trapping and enrichment of the analyte ions. Electrodes are immersed directly into the sample and the FLM and replenishment of analyte ions at the sample/FLM phase interface is accomplished by stirring the sample solution using a conventional laboratory stirrer. At optimized two-phase μ-EME conditions (100 V, 15 min, 1000 rpm) and optimized volume ratio of sample to FLM (480:16 μL), extraction recoveries of 60-97% and enrichment factors up to 29.1 were achieved. Determination of the acidic drugs in resulting FLMs was achieved by capillary electrophoresis with ultraviolet detection with good linearity (r² ≥ 0.9998) and low limits of detection (4-20 ng/mL).

Development of an ASE-GC-MS/MS method for detecting dinitolmide and its metabolite 3-ANOT in eggs

An accelerated solvent extraction coupled with gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (ASE-GC-MS/MS) method for detecting dinitolmide residue and its metabolite (3-amino-2-methyl-5-nitrobenzamide, 3-ANOT) in eggs was developed and optimized. The samples were extracted using ASE with acetonitrile as the extractant and were purified by passage through a neutral alumina solid-phase extraction column. Then, the samples were analyzed using the GC-MS/MS method. The optimized method parameters were validated according to the requirements set forth by the European Union and the Food and Drug Administration. The average recoveries of dinitolmide and 3-ANOT from eggs (egg white, egg yolk, and whole egg) at the limit of quantification (LOQ), 0.5 maximum residue limit (MRL), 1 MRL, and 2 MRL were 82.74% to 87.49%, the relative standard deviations (RSDs) were less than 4.63%, and the intra-day RSDs and the inter-day RSDs were 2.96% to 5.21% and 3.94% to 6.34%, respectively. The limits of detection and the LOQ were 0.8 to 2.8 μg/kg and 3.0 to 10.0 μg/kg, respectively. The decision limits (CC_α ) were 3001.69 to 3006.48 μg/kg, and the detection capabilities (CC_β ) were 3001.74 to 3005.22 μg/kg. Finally, the new method was successfully applied to the quantitative determination of dinitolmide and 3-ANOT in 50 commercial eggs from local supermarkets.

A decade of microchip electrophoresis for clinical diagnostics - A review of 2008-2017

A core element in clinical diagnostics is the data interpretation obtained through the analysis of patient samples. To obtain relevant and reliable information, a methodological approach of sample preparation, separation, and detection is required. Traditionally, these steps are performed independently and stepwise. Microchip capillary electrophoresis (MCE) can provide rapid and high-resolution separation with the capability to integrate a streamlined and complete diagnostic workflow suitable for the point-of-care setting. Whilst standard clinical diagnostics methods normally require hours to days to retrieve specific patient data, MCE can reduce the time to minutes, hastening the delivery of treatment options for the patients. This review covers the advances in MCE for disease detection from 2008 to 2017. Miniaturised diagnostic approaches that required an electrophoretic separation step prior to the detection of the biological samples are reviewed. In the two main sections, the discussion is focused on the technical set-up used to suit MCE for disease detection and on the strategies that have been applied to study various diseases. Throughout these discussions MCE is compared to other techniques to create context of the potential and challenges of MCE. A comprehensive table categorised based on the studied disease using MCE is provided. We also comment on future challenges that remain to be addressed.

Comparison of the Conventional and Electroenhanced Direct-Immersion Solid-Phase Microextraction for Sampling of Nicotine in Biological Fluids of the Human Body

A stainless steel fiber was made porous and adhesive by platinization and then coated by nanostructured polypyrrole (PPy), using an appropriate electrophoretic deposition (EPD) method. The morphological surface structure and functional groups of the PPy-coated fiber were studied using SEM (Scanning electron microscope) instrument. The prepared fiber was used for comparison of direct immersion (DI) and electroenhanced direct immersion solid-phase microextraction (EE-DI-SPME) of nicotine in human plasma and urine samples followed by gas chromatography flame ionization detector (GC-FID) determination. The effects of the influential experimental parameters on the efficiency of the DI-SPME and EE-DI-SPME methods, including the pH and ionic strength of the sample solution, applied Direct current (DC) voltage, extraction temperature and time and stirring rate, were optimized. Under the optimal conditions, the calibration curves for the DI-SPME-GC-FID and EE-DI-SPME-GC-FID methods were linear over the ranges of 0.1⁻10.0 μg mL^-1 and 0.001⁻10.0 μg mL^-1, respectively. The relative standard deviations (RSDs, n = 6) were found to be 6.1% and 4.6% for the DI and EE strategies, respectively. The LODs (limit of detection) of the DI-SPME-GC-FID and EE-DI-SPME-GC-FID methods were found to be 10 and 0.3 ng mL^-1, respectively. The relative recovery values (for the analysis of 1 µg mL^-1 nicotine) were found to be 91⁻110% for EE-DI-SPME and 75⁻105% for DI-SPME. The enrichment factors for DI-SPME and EE-DI-SPME sampling were obtained as 38,734 and 50,597, respectively. The results indicated that EE-SPME was more efficient for quantitation of nicotine in biological fluids. The developed procedure was successfully carried out for the extraction and measurement of nicotine in real plasma and urine samples.

Recovery of Anthocyanins Using Membrane Technologies: A Review

Anthocyanins are naturally occurring polyphenolic compounds and give many flowers, fruits and vegetable their orange, red, purple and blue colors. Besides their color attributes, anthocyanins have received much attention in recent years due to the growing evidence of their antioxidant capacity and health benefits on humans. However, these compounds usually occur in low concentrations in mixtures of complex matrices, and therefore large-scale harvesting is needed to obtain sufficient amounts for their practical usage. Effective fractionation or separation technologies are therefore essential for the screening and production of these bioactive compounds. In this context, membrane technologies have become popular due to their operational simplicity, the capacity to achieve good simultaneous separation/pre-concentration and matrix reduction with lower temperature and lower operating cost in comparison to other sample preparation methods. Membrane fractionation is based on the molecular or particle sizes (pressure-driven processes), on their charge (electrically driven processes) or are dependent on both size and charge. Other non-pressure-driven membrane processes (osmotic pressure and vapor pressure-driven) have been developed in recent years and employed as alternatives for the separation or fractionation of bioactive compounds at ambient conditions without product deterioration. These technologies are applied either individually or in combination as an integrated membrane system to meet the different requirements for the separation of bioactive compounds. The first section of this review examines the basic principles of membrane processes, including the different types of membranes, their structure, morphology and geometry. The most frequently used techniques are also discussed. Last, the specific application of these technologies for the separation, purification and concentration of phenolic compounds, with special emphasis on anthocyanins, are also provided.

Recent developments in capillary and microchip electroseparations of peptides (2015-mid 2017)

The review brings a comprehensive overview of recent developments and applications of high performance capillary and microchip electroseparation methods (zone electrophoresis, isotachophoresis, isoelectric focusing, affinity electrophoresis, electrokinetic chromatography, and electrochromatography) to analysis, microscale isolation, purification, and physicochemical and biochemical characterization of peptides in the years 2015, 2016, and ca. up to the middle of 2017. Advances in the investigation of electromigration properties of peptides and in the methodology of their analysis (sample preseparation, preconcentration and derivatization, adsorption suppression and EOF control, and detection) are described. New developments in particular CE and CEC methods are presented and several types of their applications to peptide analysis are reported: qualitative and quantitative analysis, determination in complex (bio)matrices, monitoring of chemical and enzymatical reactions and physical changes, amino acid, sequence and chiral analysis, and peptide mapping of proteins. Some micropreparative peptide separations are shown and capabilities of CE and CEC methods to provide important physicochemical characteristics of peptides are demonstrated.

Derivatisation for separation and detection in capillary electrophoresis (2015-2017)

Derivatisation is an integrated part of many analytical workflows to enable separation and detection of the analytes. In CE, derivatisation is adapted in the four modes of pre-capillary, in-line, in-capillary, and post-capillary derivatisation. In this review, we discuss the progress in derivatisation from February 2015 to May 2017 from multiple points of view including sections about the derivatisation modes, derivatisation to improve the analyte separation and analyte detection. The advancements in derivatisation procedures, novel reagents, and applications are covered. A table summarising the 46 reviewed articles with information about analyte, sample, derivatisation route, CE method and method sensitivity is provided.

Simultaneous electromembrane extraction of cationic and anionic herbicides across hollow polymer inclusion membranes with a bubbleless electrode

A new electric-field driven extraction approach based on the integration of a bubbleless electrode into the electromembrane extraction (EME) across hollow polymer inclusion membranes (HPIMs) was demonstrated for the first time. The bubbleless electrode was prepared based on an in-situ synthesised polyacrylamide within a fused silica capillary. The electrode functions as a salt bridge, which conducts the electrical current between the acceptor phase in the lumen of the HPIM and the acceptor solution in the reservoir connected to a high voltage supply through a platinum electrode. Two types of HPIMs were employed, which consisted of desired proportions of cellulose acetate as base polymer, tris(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate as plasticizer, and di-(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid as anionic carrier or Aliquat 336 as cationic carrier, respectively. The EME strategy was evaluated for the simultaneous determination of cationic quaternary ammonium and anionic chlorophenoxy acetic acid herbicides present in the river water, respectively. The analysis was carried out using capillary electrophoresis coupled with UV and contactless conductivity detection. Under the optimised conditions, enrichment factors in the range of 152-185-fold were obtained from 4mL of river water sample with a 20min extraction time and an applied voltage of 3000V. The proposed method provided good linearity with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.9982 to 0.9997 over a concentration range of 1-1000μg/L. The detection limits of the method for the herbicides were in the range of 0.3-0.4μg/L, with relative standard deviations of between 4.8% and 8.5%. The relative recoveries obtained when analysing the spiked river water ranged from 99.1% to 100%. A comparison was also made between the newly developed approach with the conventional EME setup by placing the platinum electrode directly in the lumen of the HPIMs.

Analysis of proteins and peptides by electromigration methods in microchips

This review presents the developments and applications of microchip electromigration methods in the separation and analysis of peptides and proteins in the period 2011-mid-2016. The developments in sample preparation and preconcentration, microchannel material, and surface treatment are described. Separations by various microchip electromigration methods (zone electrophoresis in free and sieving media, affinity electrophoresis, isotachophoresis, isoelectric focusing, electrokinetic chromatography, and electrochromatography) are demonstrated. Advances in detection methods are reported and novel applications in the areas of proteomics and peptidomics, quality control of peptide and protein pharmaceuticals, analysis of proteins and peptides in biomatrices, and determination of physicochemical parameters are shown.

Effect of type of stirring on hollow fiber liquid phase microextraction and electromembrane extraction of basic drugs: speed up extraction time and enhancement of extraction efficiency

In microextraction procedures, the stirring of the donor solution is crucial to speed up the extraction.