Make the switch from LLE to a synthetic solid SLE — Transcript

Discover how Agilent's synthetic solid supported liquid extraction (SLE) improves reproducibility and automation over traditional liquid liquid extraction (LLE).

Key Takeaways

  • Chem Elut S synthetic SLE offers superior reproducibility and recovery compared to traditional LLE and DE SLE.
  • The method reduces manual labor and variability by eliminating shaking and phase separation steps.
  • Chem Elut S is compatible with automation, enabling high-throughput sample processing.
  • Synthetic sorbent provides consistent particle size and batch-to-batch performance.
  • Switching to Chem Elut S enhances efficiency and reliability in extracting drugs of abuse and steroids.

Summary

  • Liquid liquid extraction (LLE) is a traditional method used to separate compounds from aqueous samples into organic solvents but has drawbacks like variability, emulsions, and labor-intensive phase separation.
  • Solid supported liquid extraction (SLE) with Chem Elut S simplifies the process by using a sorbent cartridge that allows gravity flow extraction without shaking or manual phase separation.
  • Chem Elut S uses a synthetic sorbent that offers improved particle size distribution and batch-to-batch consistency compared to diatomaceous earth (DE) based SLE products.
  • The workflow includes loading samples, waiting for equilibration, adding organic solvent, collecting eluent, drying down, reconstituting, and analyzing.
  • Chem Elut S is available in 96 well plate formats compatible with Agilent’s positive pressure manifold (PPM 96) and can be automated with liquid handling robots.
  • Performance comparisons show Chem Elut S provides better recovery and reproducibility for drugs of abuse in urine and steroids in human serum compared to LLE and DE SLE.
  • The method reduces technician variability, eliminates emulsions, and is less tedious for both small and large sample volumes.
  • Chem Elut S supports multiple solvent extractions and different solvent combinations to optimize analyte recovery.
  • Automation compatibility and improved consistency make Chem Elut S ideal for high-throughput workflows.
  • Agilent encourages switching from LLE to synthetic solid SLE for improved efficiency and reliability in sample preparation.

Full Transcript — Download SRT & Markdown

00:00
Speaker A
Make the switch from liquid liquid extraction (LLE) to solid supported liquid extraction (SLE).
00:08
Speaker A
Liquid liquid extraction (LLE) is a common extraction technique and has been successfully used for many years.
00:15
Speaker A
It separates compounds that move readily or partition from the aqueous sample into the water immiscible organic extraction solvent.
00:24
Speaker A
As a result, the final extract of LLE can exclude salts found in a urine matrix, LLE helps to eliminate water soluble contaminants from the final extract.
00:36
Speaker A
Modifying the pH can also help the partitioning process encouraging compounds of interest to move into the organic phase or to help minimize matrix interferences in the final extract.
00:49
Speaker A
Liquid liquid extraction does have drawbacks.
00:53
Speaker A
Technique or technician variability, that is, different lengths or vigor of shaking can impact the reproducibility of a liquid liquid extraction method.
01:03
Speaker A
It can be challenging to determine where to cut between the two layers, the organic and the aqueous.
01:10
Speaker A
The presence of emulsions can diminish analyte recovery.
01:14
Speaker A
And the separation of the two solvent phases can be particularly labor intensive.
01:19
Speaker A
And the more samples, the more challenging it can be.
01:24
Speaker A
And it can be especially tedious with small sample sizes.
01:28
Speaker A
It's also difficult to automate, especially with large sample batches.
01:32
Speaker A
So how many of these problems can be fixed with solid supported liquid extraction?
01:40
Speaker A
The extraction method with Chem Elut S is simple.
01:44
Speaker A
Add your aqueous sample to the SLE cartridge, it will begin to gravity flow into the cartridge.
01:51
Speaker A
Allow a wait time of five minutes for complete gravity loading and equilibration.
01:57
Speaker A
Next, add the water immiscible extraction solvent.
02:01
Speaker A
Allow it to gravity flow and collect the eluent.
02:04
Speaker A
This solvent extraction process can be repeated.
02:08
Speaker A
There is no shaking and no manual solvent phase separation required.
02:14
Speaker A
From there, dry down, reconstitute and analyze.
02:19
Speaker A
There are two types of SLE media.
02:23
Speaker A
Diatomaceous earth (DE) is used in our standard Chem Elut brand of SLE products.
02:31
Speaker A
Diatomaceous earth is a mined fossil diatom, which is heterogeneous and can be inconsistent from one mine to the next.
02:40
Speaker A
In the new Chem Elut S, we use a synthetic SLE sorbent, which offers improved particle size distribution and offers greater batch to batch consistency.
02:50
Speaker A
In this workflow, we'll review a method using Chem Elut S for the extraction of drugs of abuse from urine.
02:57
Speaker A
For complete method details, see the application note shown.
03:00
Speaker A
Here we see the Chem Elut S in a 96 well plate format on Agilent's positive pressure manifold, the PPM 96.
03:08
Speaker A
Samples are loaded into the wells.
03:11
Speaker A
Small format Chem Elut S cartridges require the aqueous sample to be initially applied to the sorbent using pressure or vacuum, followed by the five minute wait time.
03:20
Speaker A
Larger format cartridges have the sample applied to the sorbent only by gravity.
03:26
Speaker A
The extraction process is then performed by using two aliquots of methyl T butyl ether.
03:34
Speaker A
Here we see the percent recovery comparisons for a wide range of drugs of abuse.
03:39
Speaker A
Shown is the new Chem Elut S in blue, a competitor's diatomaceous earth product in orange and liquid liquid extraction in red.
03:49
Speaker A
Shown here, Chem Elut S shows excellent reproducibility results.
03:55
Speaker A
In this workflow, we'll review a method using Chem Elut S for the extraction of steroids from human serum.
04:00
Speaker A
For complete method details, see the application note shown.
04:04
Speaker A
This method is similar to the prior drugs of abuse from urine method, notice however, there are three solvent extractions and the solvent is a combination of MTBE and ethyl acetate.
04:15
Speaker A
Once again, the Chem Elut S SLE product offers excellent recovery values.
04:22
Speaker A
And again, Chem Elut S shows excellent reproducibility results.
04:28
Speaker A
Chem Elut S delivers better recoveries and RSDs than LLE or DE SLE.
04:35
Speaker A
Our new 96 well plate with synthetic SLE is less tedious for small sample volumes or large number of samples.
04:40
Speaker A
Easily automated with a standard liquid handling robot, unlike LLE.
04:46
Speaker A
Ready to make the switch?
Topics:solid supported liquid extractionSLEliquid liquid extractionLLEChem Elut SAgilent Technologiessample preparationautomationdrug extractionsteroid extraction

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some of the drawbacks of Liquid-Liquid Extraction (LLE) mentioned in the transcript?

LLE can suffer from technique or technician variability due to differences in shaking, making reproducibility challenging. It can also be difficult to determine the cut-off between layers, and emulsions can reduce analyte recovery. Additionally, separating the two solvent phases can be labor-intensive, especially with many or small samples, and it's hard to automate for large batches.

How does Solid Supported Liquid Extraction (SLE) with Chem Elut S simplify the extraction process compared to LLE?

With SLE using Chem Elut S, the aqueous sample is added to a cartridge and gravity flows, followed by a five-minute wait for loading and equilibration. Then, the water-immiscible extraction solvent is added and allowed to gravity flow, collecting the eluent. This process eliminates the need for shaking and manual solvent phase separation, which are common issues with LLE.

What is the difference between the SLE media used in standard Chem Elut products and the new Chem Elut S?

Standard Chem Elut SLE products use diatomaceous earth (DE), which is a mined fossil diatom that can be heterogeneous and inconsistent between batches. In contrast, the new Chem Elut S utilizes a synthetic SLE sorbent, which provides improved particle size distribution and greater batch-to-batch consistency.

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