3.45 - Needle-Trap Devices for Environmental Sample Preparation

Abstract

Microscale sample preparation techniques are the most promising for determination of trace analytes in the complex sample matrices commonly encountered in environmental and biological analysis, because the downsizing of the sample preparation process makes it possible to significantly improve the performance and to realize various recent requirements such as high-throughput analysis and environmentally friendly features. Miniaturization of the sample preparation also enables enhanced mass sensitivity and reduced sample size. Recently, needle-shaped extraction devices have been developed, and the results show that these needle-type sample preparation methods can realize most of the advantageous features of conventional sample preparation techniques, but without the typical disadvantages, for preconcentration of volatile organic compounds prior to the separation process in gas chromatography (GC). A wide variety of extraction media can be used and they are easy to operate in the extraction and desorption processes, which are additional attractive features for automation and hyphenation to typical GC instruments. This chapter provides an overview of the development of needle-type extraction devices and several applications in the analysis of air and water samples are reviewed.