Lexikon
a chromatographic technique used to prepare samples for subsequent analysis, an effective method to concentrate or isolate the non-volatile analytes. It is a kind of column chromatography. The extract is eluted through the column (cartridge) containing the preconditioned sorbent by applying vacuum. The substance of interest is retained on the column and all the interfering components are eluted or the interfering components are retained and the substance of interest is eluted. This sample preparation technique is suitable for any compounds. The low solvent need, no need of concentration by evaporation and in this way avoiding the concentration of the polluting components, cheap sorbents, saving time, no emulsion formation, enhanced selectivity and potential for automatization are the advantages of SPE over the traditional liquid/liquid extraction (LLE).