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Team:Valencia UPV/Project/modules/methodology/sample preparation
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Project > Modules > Methodology > Sample Preparation HSPME
The Idea
Headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) is one of the most convenient sample extraction methods for analysing Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). It is a very sensitive, inexpensive, robust and easy-to-use technique that does not require the use of solvents, being able to detect metabolites at the parts per trillion (ppt) level.
How It Works
HS-SPME is based on the extraction of volatiles present in the headspace of a vial by an adsorption/desorption process. The volatiles diffuse from the sample to the headspace where are captured by an adsorbent, a polymer-coated fiber with high affinity for the target compounds. The adsorption process is completed when equilibrium between the sample, the headspace and the fiber is reached. The fiber is then transferred to the injection port of, most commonly, a gas chromatograph where the captured compounds are desorbed for analysis.
Figure 1. Schematic representation of the headspace solid-phase microextraction adsorption/desorption. In the adsorption step the fiber is exposed in the headspace of a vial containing biological material, where volatile organic compounds (shown in red) are adsorbed by the fiber. In the desorption step, the fiber is introduced in the Gas Chromatograph injection port where the volatile compounds are released by thermal desorption.
In order to perform an accurate analysis of the sample, this technique must follow 3 simple steps:
- Sample preparation: it is vital for a proper analysis that samples are unaltered during the whole process.
- Therefore the biological material, leaves in this case, must be immediately kept on liquid Nitrogen after the removal from the plant.
- Then, leaves are ground to a fine powder with mortar and pestle and introduced in a screw cap headspace vial.
- Afterwards, EDTA and saturated solution of CaCl2 are added to inhibit enzymatic activity and stabilize the sample.
- Finally, they are sonicated to induce the release of volatiles from the solid phase to the gas phase in the headspace of the vial.
- Trapping of volatiles: volatiles present in the gas phase must be extracted for further analysis. Therefore a fiber coated with an adsorbent polymer is introduced in the headspace, and ‘traps’ the volatiles from the sample.
- Desorption: release of the volatiles from the fiber by thermal desorption which takes place in the insertion port of the Gas chromatograph.
Now the sample is ready to be analysed by GC-MS. (see GC-MS)
For further information check the detailed protocol (see protocol)
← Go back to Methodology Go to Sample Analysis →
References
- Wolfram Weckwerth., 2007. Metabolomics: Methods and Protocols. Humana press, Totowa, New Jersey.
- Zhouyao Zhang , Janusz Pawliszyn (1993). Headspace solid-phase microextraction. Anal. Chem., 1993, 65 (14), pp 1843–1852.
