Modern automated sample preparation for the determination of organic compounds: A review on robotic and on-flow systems

Author(s)

Medina, Deyber Arley Vargas ; Maciel, Edvaldo Vasconcelos Soares ; Lancas, Fernando Mauro

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: TRAC-TRENDS IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY; v. 166, p. 21-pg., 2023-09-01.

Abstract

Sample preparation is crucial for reliable and confident analytical methods, ensuring selective enrichment, clean-up, and removal of matrix interferents. However, it often involves labor-intensive, error prone procedures. Automation of sample preparation improves throughput, precision, and accuracy while reducing health risks associated with hazardous chemicals or biological agents. Robotic systems and on-flow techniques are two common approaches for automating sample preparation in chromatography and mass spectrometry. Robotic systems are versatile automation platforms with mobile parts for performing chemical operations. Many commercial solutions are currently available, and open-source prototyping enables the affordable development and implementation of lab robots. On-flow techniques encompass a variety of strategies based on pumps and valves, with column-switching being particularly effective for the direct injection of raw samples and the online integration of extraction/preconcentration and separation stages. This review provides an update on the latest advances in sample preparation automation, introduces and explains the main automation strategies, highlights selected applications, and outlines their scope and limitations. Recent advancements in the use of robots and on-flow techniques in the automation of sample preparation for analyzing organic compounds via liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry are discussed, including applications, limitations, and future trends. Lastly, it presents trends and insights into future advancements.& COPY; 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/02147-0 - Single drop chromatography and its coupling to mass spectrometry: instrumental strategies, development of materials, automation and analytical applications
• Grantee: Fernando Mauro Lanças
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 19/22724-7 - Novel instrumental approaches for automated and miniaturized analytical methods for the detection of organic compounds by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry
• Grantee: Deyber Arley Vargas Medina
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 17/21984-0 - Multi-user equipment approved in grant 17/02147-0: electron ionization nano liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry system with a quadrupole analyzer (EI-Q (MS)) - nano-LC-EI-MS
• Grantee: Fernando Mauro Lanças
• Support Opportunities: Multi-user Equipment Program
• FAPESP's process: 17/21985-6 - Multi-user equipment approved in grant 17/02147-0: electrospray ionization nano/micro liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry system (ESI-QqQ (MS/MS)) - nano/µ-LC-ESI-MS/MS
• Grantee: Fernando Mauro Lanças
• Support Opportunities: Multi-user Equipment Program