How to Select Solid Phase Extraction Cartridge?
General introduction
Solid-phase extraction cartridge is a widely used technology in daily analysis and research applications to purify and concentrate analytes from various matrices. HAWACH SPE cartridges are produced and tested under strictly controlled conditions and are strictly checked before delivery in a standardized laboratory. SPE cartridges can improve and simplify separation, extend the life of the chromatographic column, and increase the detection limit. The extraction process is simple and fast, reduces solvent consumption, is easy to automate the operation, and has good recovery and reproducibility.
The SPE cartridge has a high sensitivity to small molecules and therapeutic peptides and can reduce the matrix effect of LC-MS/MS analysis, and can obtain the highest SPE recovery rate, with stable retention performance and reproducibility, wide selectivity of adsorbent, and various product specifications. It can be used in the detection of pesticides, veterinary drug residues, and pollutants in vegetables, fruits, and meat products, such as Sudan red, malachite green, and organophosphorus pesticides; detection of synthetic pigments in water; and the analysis composition of petroleum. Hawach offers C18 SPE cartridge, Diol SPE cartridge and SAX SPE cartridge for you to choose.
Structure and specifications
Most common solid phase extraction columns are injection syringe type devices made of polyethylene. The device is equipped with two stoppers made of polypropylene or glass fiber and two stoppers. A certain amount of chromatographic adsorbent (filler) is filled in the middle of the sheet. With open upper end and lower end equipped with an outlet, after passing through the adsorbent, the liquid is discharged from the outlet. Through sample separation, purification, and concentration, the speed of sample liquefaction and meteorological analysis is improved, magazines are removed, the service life of chromatographic equipment is prolonged, and the pollution of the chromatographic system is avoided.
How to choose SPE cartridge
Since there are many advantages and applications for the solid-phase extraction cartridge, then how to choose it? We need to consider the adsorbent and column specifications. Appropriate adsorptive packing can make the interfering substance and the target component get good separation and meet the recovery requirements.
Choose according to the nature of the matrix:
Matrix | Target compound | Main interferences | Extraction column |
Soil, sewage | Hydrophobic organic pollutants | Humus | Reversed phase column C18, SLC |
Fruits, vegetables, Chinese medicine, fruit juice, vegetable juice, fruit wine | Multiple pesticide residues | Carbohydrates, pigments, organic acids, phenols | NH2, Carbon/NH2 |
Weakly Polar Pesticides | Reversed phase column C18 | ||
Alkaline pesticides | Cation exchange column HLB | ||
Acid pesticides | Anion exchange PAX | ||
Blood, urine, animal tissue, dairy products | Neutral, weakly acidic, weakly basic drugs | Protein, fat | Reversed phase column C18, SLC |
Basic drugs | Cation Exchange Column PCX | ||
Acid drugs | Anion exchange PAX | ||
grease | Fat-soluble vitamins, phospholipids, aflatoxins | Fat | Normal phase column silica, NH2, PSA |
We can select the adsorbent based on the target compound and matrix properties. After selecting the appropriate adsorbent, it is also necessary to select the appropriate column specifications according to the sample volume required for the verification.
Since the quality of the compound that the adsorbent of the extraction column can absorb is limited, once this value is exceeded, the target substance cannot be effectively retained, which greatly reduces the elution effect. Therefore, it is necessary to select the appropriate column specifications according to the number of components in the sample. The ideal solid phase extraction column type should be larger in inner diameter and length. As the column length increases, the corresponding number of plates is higher, the column inner diameter is larger, and the origin of the sample after injection is smaller (reflected on the column, the sample layer is thinner), and the resolution becomes larger.
The sample loading capacity and elution parameters of the extraction column are given below for reference:
Column specifications | Max. sample volume | Min. elution volume |
50mg | 2.5mg | 125μL |
100mg | 5mg | 250μL |
150mg | 7.5mg | 375μL |
200mg | 10mg | 500μL |
500mg | 25mg | 1250μL |
1000mg | 50mg | 2500μL |