Fast Quantitation of Target Analytes in Small Volumes of Complex Samples by Matrix-Compatible Solid-Phase Microextraction Devices

Abstract

Herein we report the development of solid-phase microextraction (SPME) devices designed to perform fast extraction/enrichment of target analytes present in small volumes of complex matrices (i.e. V <= 10 mu L). Micro-sampling was performed with the use of etched metal tips coated with a thin layer of biocompatible nano-structured polypyrrole (PPy), or by using coated blade spray (CBS) devices. These devices can be coupled either to liquid chromatography (LC), or directly to mass spectrometry (MS) via dedicated interfaces. The reported results demonstrated that the whole analytical procedure can be carried out within a few minutes with high sensitivity and quantitation precision, and can be used to sample from various biological matrices such as blood, urine, or Allium cepa L single-cells.