Submit to Molecules Review for Molecules Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser

Sample Preparation-Quo Vadis: Current Status of Sample Preparation Approaches

Print Special Issue Flyer
Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
Published Papers

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Analytical Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2020) | Viewed by 54631

Printed Edition Available!
A printed edition of this Special Issue is available here.

Special issue Sample Preparation-Quo Vadis: Current Status of Sample Preparation Approaches book cover image

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Victoria Samanidou

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Interests: analytical chemistry; sample preparation; chromatography; HPLC; method validation; method development; separation science; food analysis; bioanalysis; environmental analysis; green analytical chemistry; sorptive extraction; microextraction techniques
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Irene Panderi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece
Interests: pharmaceutical analysis; bioanalysis; cosmetics; cancer research; mass spectrometry imaging
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Sample preparation is and will always be the most important step in chemical analysis. Numerous techniques, methods, methodologies, and approaches are published in the literature, offering a wide range of analytical tools to the lab practitioner. Analytical scientists all over the world try to develop protocols for a plethora of analytes in various sample matrices. In the past decade advances in sample pre-treatment followed the demand for green chemistry and green analytical chemistry, focusing on miniaturization and automation, using the least possible amount of organic solvents. The question is, how far have we come, and what are the future perspectives? Analytical chemists are invited to share their experience in the field and report on the recent advances in sample preparation approaches.

Prof. Dr. Victoria Samanidou
Prof. Irene Panderi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

sample preparation
sample pretreatment
extraction techniques
microextraction techniques
green analytical chemistry
miniaturization
automated techniques

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (11 papers)

Download All Papers

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

20 pages, 6762 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Determination of Intact Parabens in the Human Plasma of Cancer and Non-Cancer Patients Using a Validated Fabric Phase Sorptive Extraction Reversed-Phase Liquid Chromatography Method with UV Detection

by Anthi Parla, Eirini Zormpa, Nikolaos Paloumpis, Abuzar Kabir, Kenneth G. Furton, Željka Roje, Victoria Samanidou, Ivana Vinković Vrček and Irene Panderi

Molecules 2021, 26(6), 1526; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26061526 - 11 Mar 2021

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 5012

Abstract

Parabens have been widely employed as preservatives since the 1920s for extending the shelf life of foodstuffs, medicines, and daily care products. Given the fact that there are some legitimate concerns related to their potential multiple endocrine-disrupting properties, the development of novel bioanalytical methods for their biomonitoring is crucial. In this study, a fabric phase sorptive extraction reversed-phase liquid chromatography method coupled with UV detection (FPSE-HPLC-UV) was developed and validated for the quantitation of seven parabens in human plasma samples. Chromatographic separation of the seven parabens and p-hydroxybenzoic acid was achieved on a semi-micro Spherisorb ODS1 analytical column under isocratic elution using a mobile phase containing 0.1% (v/v) formic acid and 66% 49 mM ammonium formate aqueous solution in acetonitrile at flow rate 0.25 mL min⁻¹ with a 24-min run time for each sample. The method was linear at a concentration range of 20 to 500 ng mL⁻¹ for the seven parabens under study in human plasma samples. The efficiency of the method was proven with the analysis of 20 human plasma samples collected from women subjected to breast cancer surgery and to reconstructive and aesthetic breast surgery. The highest quantitation rates in human plasma samples from cancerous cases were found for methylparaben and isobutylparaben with average plasma concentrations at 77 and 112.5 ng mL⁻¹. The high concentration levels detected agree with previous findings for some of the parabens and emphasize the need for further epidemiological research on the possible health effects of the use of these compounds. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sample Preparation-Quo Vadis: Current Status of Sample Preparation Approaches)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

14 pages, 2192 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopic Analyses of Microbiological Samples and Biogenic Selenium Nanoparticles of Microbial Origin: Sample Preparation Effects

by Alexander A. Kamnev, Yulia A. Dyatlova, Odissey A. Kenzhegulov, Anastasiya A. Vladimirova, Polina V. Mamchenkova and Anna V. Tugarova

Molecules 2021, 26(4), 1146; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26041146 - 21 Feb 2021

Cited by 67 | Viewed by 7127

Abstract

To demonstrate the importance of sample preparation used in Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy of microbiological materials, bacterial biomass samples with and without grinding and after different drying periods (1.5–23 h at 45 °C), as well as biogenic selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs; without washing and after one to three washing steps) were comparatively studied by transmission FTIR spectroscopy. For preparing bacterial biomass samples, Azospirillum brasilense Sp7 and A. baldaniorum Sp245 (earlier known as A. brasilense Sp245) were used. The SeNPs were obtained using A. brasilense Sp7 incubated with selenite. Grinding of the biomass samples was shown to result in slight downshifting of the bands related to cellular poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) present in the samples in small amounts (under ~10%), reflecting its partial crystallisation. Drying for 23 h was shown to give more reproducible FTIR spectra of bacterial samples. SeNPs were shown to contain capping layers of proteins, polysaccharides and lipids. The as-prepared SeNPs contained significant amounts of carboxylated components in their bioorganic capping, which appeared to be weakly bound and were largely removed after washing. Spectroscopic characteristics and changes induced by various sample preparation steps are discussed with regard to optimising sample treatment procedures for FTIR spectroscopic analyses of microbiological specimens. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sample Preparation-Quo Vadis: Current Status of Sample Preparation Approaches)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 2368 KiB

Open AccessArticle

FT-IR/ATR Solid Film Formation: Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of a Piperacillin-Tazobactam Formulation

by Ioanna Chrisikou, Malvina Orkoula and Christos Kontoyannis

Molecules 2020, 25(24), 6051; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25246051 - 21 Dec 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3340

Abstract

FT-IR/ATR analytical technique is one of the most applicable techniques worldwide. It is closely associated with easy-to-use equipment, rapid analysis, and reliable results. This study reports the simultaneous qualitative and quantitative analysis of two active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), of a piperacillin and tazobactam formulation using a film formation method. This method requires film formation on the ATR crystal, resulting from solvent evaporation of a small amount of liquid sample. Good contact between the film and the crystal led to the identification of both APIs, although tazobactam was of low content in the formulation mixture. The quantification of the APIs in the commercial mixture was also achieved, using a single calibration line with a correlation coefficient equal to 0.999, not only after film formation but also in the initial dry formulation before reconstitution. The present spectroscopic technique combined with the proposed relatively simple sample treatment outweighs chromatographic protocols already applied, which require specialized staff and are costly, time-consuming, and not environmentally friendly. Taking all the above into consideration, it turns out that such an approach has the potential to be used for off-line quality control procedures in manufacture or, in terms of portable equipment and automated software, anywhere for on-site analysis, even in a hospital workflow. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sample Preparation-Quo Vadis: Current Status of Sample Preparation Approaches)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 2791 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sample Preparation of Posaconazole Oral Suspensions for Identification of the Crystal Form of the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient

by Michail Lykouras, Stefani Fertaki, Malvina Orkoula and Christos Kontoyannis

Molecules 2020, 25(24), 6032; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25246032 - 19 Dec 2020

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3929

Abstract

Determination of the polymorphic form of an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) in a suspension could be really challenging because of the water phase and the low concentration of the API in this formulation. Posaconazole is an antifungal drug available also as an oral suspension. The aim of this study was to develop a sample-preparation method for polymorphic identification of the dispersed API by increasing the concentration of the API but with no compromise of polymorph stability. For this purpose, filtration, drying and centrifugation were tested for separating the API from the suspending medium. Centrifugation was selected because it succeeded in separating Posaconazole API with no polymorph transformation during the process. During this study, it was found that Posaconazole in oral suspensions is Form-S. However, when slower scanning rates were used for acquiring an XRPD pattern with better signal/noise ratio, Posaconazole was converted to Form I due to water loss. In order to protect the sample from conversion, different approaches were tested to secure an airtight sample including a commercially available XRPD sample holder with a dome-like transparent cap, standard polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) sample holders covered with Mylar film, transparent pressure-sensitive tape and a transparent food membrane. Only usage of the transparent food membrane was found to protect the API from conversion for a period of at least two weeks and resulted in a Posaconazole Form-S XRPD pattern with no artificial peaks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sample Preparation-Quo Vadis: Current Status of Sample Preparation Approaches)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 1688 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Miniaturized Salting-Out Assisted Liquid-Liquid Extraction Combined with Disposable Pipette Extraction for Fast Sample Preparation of Neonicotinoid Pesticides in Bee Pollen

by Xijuan Tu and Wenbin Chen

Molecules 2020, 25(23), 5703; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25235703 - 3 Dec 2020

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2930

Abstract

As the main source of nutrients for the important pollinator honeybee, bee pollen is crucial for the health of the honeybee and the agro-ecosystem. In the present study, a new sample preparation procedure has been developed for the determination of neonicotinoid pesticides in bee pollen. The neonicotinoid pesticides were extracted using miniaturized salting-out assisted liquid-liquid extraction (mini-SALLE), followed by disposable pipette extraction (DPX) for the clean-up of analytes. Effects of DPX parameters on the clean-up performance were systematically investigated, including sorbent types (PSA, C18, and silica gel), mass of sorbent, loading modes, and elution conditions. In addition, the clean-up effect of classical dispersive solid-phase extraction (d-SPE) was compared with that of the DPX method. Results indicated that PSA-based DPX showed excellent clean-up ability for the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of neonicotinoid pesticides in bee pollen. The proposed DPX method was fully validated and demonstrated to provide the advantage of simple and rapid clean-up with low consumption of solvent. This is the first report of DPX method applied in bee pollen matrix, and would be valuable for the development of a fast sample preparation method for this challenging and important matrix. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sample Preparation-Quo Vadis: Current Status of Sample Preparation Approaches)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 1968 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Application of Deep Eutectic Solvents and Ionic Liquids in the Extraction of Catechins from Tea

by Sylwia Bajkacz, Jakub Adamek and Anna Sobska

Molecules 2020, 25(14), 3216; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25143216 - 14 Jul 2020

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 4592

Abstract

This work aimed to comprehensively evaluate the potential and effectiveness of deep eutectic solvents (DESs) in the extraction of seven catechins from various tea samples. Different combinations of DES were used, consisting of Girard’s reagent T (GrT) in various mixing ratios with organic acids and choline chloride. The yields of the DES extractions were compared with those from ionic liquids and conventional solvent. DES contained malic acid, as the hydrogen bond donors showed a good solubility of catechins with different polarities. In the second part of the study, a solid-phase extraction (SPE) method was applied to the extraction of catechins from tea infusions. The method was applied to the determination of selected catechins in tea leaves and tea infusions. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the proposed procedure works well in the simultaneous monitoring of these polyphenols, which makes it a useful tool in the quality control of tea. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sample Preparation-Quo Vadis: Current Status of Sample Preparation Approaches)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

14 pages, 2594 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multidimensional Liquid Chromatography Employing a Graphene Oxide Capillary Column as the First Dimension: Determination of Antidepressant and Antiepileptic Drugs in Urine

by Edvaldo Vasconcelos Soares Maciel, Ana Lúcia de Toffoli, Jussara da Silva Alves and Fernando Mauro Lanças

Molecules 2020, 25(5), 1092; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25051092 - 29 Feb 2020

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3920

Abstract

Human mental disorders can be currently classified as one of the most relevant health topics. Including in this are depression and anxiety, which can affect us at any stage of life, causing economic and social problems. The treatments involve cognitive psychotherapy, and mainly the oral intake of pharmaceutical antidepressants. Therefore, the development of analytical methods for monitoring the levels of these drugs in biological fluids is critical. Considering the current demand for sensitive and automated analytical methods, the coupling between liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry, combined with suitable sample preparation, becomes a useful way to improve the analytical results even more. Herein we present an automated multidimensional method based on high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry using a lab-made, graphene-based capillary extraction column connected to a C8 analytical column to determined five pharmaceutical drugs in urine. A method enhancement was performed by considering the chromatographic separation and the variables of the loading phase, loading time, loading flow, and injection volume. Under optimized conditions, the study reports good linearity with R² > 0.98, and limits of detection in the range of 0.5–20 µg L⁻¹. Afterward, the method was applied to the direct analysis of ten untreated urine samples, reporting traces of citalopram in one of them. The results suggest that the proposed approach could be a promising alternative that provides direct and fully automated analysis of pharmaceutical drugs in complex biological matrices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sample Preparation-Quo Vadis: Current Status of Sample Preparation Approaches)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

27 pages, 2036 KiB

Open AccessReview

Fabric Phase Sorptive Extraction: A Paradigm Shift Approach in Analytical and Bioanalytical Sample Preparation

by Abuzar Kabir and Victoria Samanidou

Molecules 2021, 26(4), 865; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26040865 - 6 Feb 2021

Cited by 64 | Viewed by 5310

Abstract

Fabric phase sorptive extraction (FPSE) is an evolutionary sample preparation approach which was introduced in 2014, meeting all green analytical chemistry (GAC) requirements by implementing a natural or synthetic permeable and flexible fabric substrate to host a chemically coated sol–gel organic–inorganic hybrid sorbent in the form of an ultra-thin coating. This construction results in a versatile, fast, and sensitive micro-extraction device. The user-friendly FPSE membrane allows direct extraction of analytes with no sample modification, thus eliminating/minimizing the sample pre-treatment steps, which are not only time consuming, but are also considered the primary source of major analyte loss. Sol–gel sorbent-coated FPSE membranes possess high chemical, solvent, and thermal stability due to the strong covalent bonding between the fabric substrate and the sol–gel sorbent coating. Subsequent to the extraction on FPSE membrane, a wide range of organic solvents can be used in a small volume to exhaustively back-extract the analytes after FPSE process, leading to a high preconcentration factor. In most cases, no solvent evaporation and sample reconstitution are necessary. In addition to the extensive simplification of the sample preparation workflow, FPSE has also innovatively combined the extraction principle of two major, yet competing sample preparation techniques: solid phase extraction (SPE) with its characteristic exhaustive extraction, and solid phase microextraction (SPME) with its characteristic equilibrium driven extraction mechanism. Furthermore, FPSE has offered the most comprehensive cache of sorbent chemistry by successfully combining almost all of the sorbents traditionally used exclusively in either SPE or in SPME. FPSE is the first sample preparation technique to exploit the substrate surface chemistry that complements the overall selectivity and the extraction efficiency of the device. As such, FPSE indeed represents a paradigm shift approach in analytical/bioanalytical sample preparation. Furthermore, an FPSE membrane can be used as an SPME fiber or as an SPE disk for sample preparation, owing to its special geometric advantage. So far, FPSE has overwhelmingly attracted the interest of the separation scientist community, and many analytical scientists have been developing new methodologies by implementing this cutting-edge technique for the extraction and determination of many analytes at their trace and ultra-trace level concentrations in environmental samples as well as in food, pharmaceutical, and biological samples. FPSE offers a total sample preparation solution by providing neutral, cation exchanger, anion exchanger, mixed mode cation exchanger, mixed mode anion exchanger, zwitterionic, and mixed mode zwitterionic sorbents to deal with any analyte regardless of its polarity, ionic state, or the sample matrix where it resides. Herein we present the theoretical background, synthesis, mechanisms of extraction and desorption, the types of sorbents, and the main applications of FPSE so far according to different sample categories, and to briefly show the progress, advantages, and the main principles of the proposed technique. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sample Preparation-Quo Vadis: Current Status of Sample Preparation Approaches)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

34 pages, 1164 KiB

Open AccessReview

Sample Preparation Methods for Lipidomics Approaches Used in Studies of Obesity

by Ivan Liakh, Tomasz Sledzinski, Lukasz Kaska, Paulina Mozolewska and Adriana Mika

Molecules 2020, 25(22), 5307; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25225307 - 13 Nov 2020

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 5865

Abstract

Obesity is associated with alterations in the composition and amounts of lipids. Lipids have over 1.7 million representatives. Most lipid groups differ in composition, properties and chemical structure. These small molecules control various metabolic pathways, determine the metabolism of other compounds and are substrates for the syntheses of different derivatives. Recently, lipidomics has become an important branch of medical/clinical sciences similar to proteomics and genomics. Due to the much higher lipid accumulation in obese patients and many alterations in the compositions of various groups of lipids, the methods used for sample preparations for lipidomic studies of samples from obese subjects sometimes have to be modified. Appropriate sample preparation methods allow for the identification of a wide range of analytes by advanced analytical methods, including mass spectrometry. This is especially the case in studies with obese subjects, as the amounts of some lipids are much higher, others are present in trace amounts, and obese subjects have some specific alterations of the lipid profile. As a result, it is best to use a method previously tested on samples from obese subjects. However, most of these methods can be also used in healthy, nonobese subjects or patients with other dyslipidemias. This review is an overview of sample preparation methods for analysis as one of the major critical steps in the overall analytical procedure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sample Preparation-Quo Vadis: Current Status of Sample Preparation Approaches)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 1280 KiB

Open AccessReview

Sample Preparation to Determine Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Products in an All-Water Matrix: Solid Phase Extraction

by Daniele Sadutto and Yolanda Picó

Molecules 2020, 25(21), 5204; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25215204 - 9 Nov 2020

Cited by 38 | Viewed by 6413

Abstract

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are abundantly used by people, and some of them are excreted unaltered or as metabolites through urine, with the sewage being the most important source to their release to the environment. These compounds are in almost all types of water (wastewater, surface water, groundwater, etc.) at concentrations ranging from ng/L to µg/L. The isolation and concentration of the PPCPs from water achieves the appropriate sensitivity. This step is mostly based on solid-phase extraction (SPE) but also includes other approaches (dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME), buckypaper, SPE using multicartridges, etc.). In this review article, we aim to discuss the procedures employed to extract PPCPs from any type of water sample prior to their determination via an instrumental analytical technique. Furthermore, we put forward not only the merits of the different methods available but also a number of inconsistencies, divergences, weaknesses and disadvantages of the procedures found in literature, as well as the systems proposed to overcome them and to improve the methodology. Environmental applications of the developed techniques are also discussed. The pressing need for new analytical innovations, emerging trends and future prospects was also considered. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sample Preparation-Quo Vadis: Current Status of Sample Preparation Approaches)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 3069 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

Sponges and Sponge-Like Materials in Sample Preparation: A Journey from Past to Present and into the Future

by Theodoros G. Chatzimitakos and Constantine D. Stalikas

Molecules 2020, 25(16), 3673; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25163673 - 12 Aug 2020

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 4688

Abstract

Even though instrumental advancements are constantly being made in analytical chemistry, sample preparation is still considered the bottleneck of analytical methods. To this end, researchers are developing new sorbent materials to improve and replace existing ones, with the ultimate goal to improve current methods and make them more efficient and effective. A few years ago, an alternative trend was started toward sample preparation: the use of sponge or sponge-like materials. These materials possess favorable characteristics, such as negligible weight, open-hole structure, high surface area, and variable surface chemistry. Although their use seemed promising, this trend soon reversed, due to either the increasing use of nanomaterials in sample preparation or the limited scope of the first materials. Currently, with the development of new materials, such as melamine sponges, along with the advancement in nanotechnology, this topic was revived, and various functionalizations were carried out on such materials. The new materials are used as sorbents in sample preparation in analytical chemistry. This review explores the development of such materials, from the past to the present and into the future, as well as their use in analytical chemistry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sample Preparation-Quo Vadis: Current Status of Sample Preparation Approaches)

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Sample Preparation-Quo Vadis: Current Status of Sample Preparation Approaches

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Published Papers (11 papers)

Research

Review

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI