Separation Techniques & Formulation Reports

Advancements in Sample Preparation Techniques

The primary goal of sample preparation is to isolate one or several target analytes from the other components of the sample mixture (matrix). Depending on their nature and concentration levels, co-components of the sample matrix can influence the quantitation of target analyte(s) during subsequent liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) or tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) experiments if not removed prior to analysis. The development of new LC-MS/MS methods for small molecules in biological fluids is becoming increasingly more challenging, because of the need to continuously achieve higher sensitivity and better assay robustness in complex bio fluids such as serum, plasma, urine, oral fluid or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). In addition, because of the very low concentration levels of pharmaceutical targets, samples often need to be pre-concentrated before analysis.