A customer paper published by researchers at the University of Connecticut describes the development and advantages of a new evaporative methodology for Mass Spectroscopic (MS) analysis replacing the traditional Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) technique for preparing environmental samples.
The paper on Development of a Simple and Rapid Sample Preparation for the Detection and Quantification of Algal Toxins in Surface Water uses the Genevac EZ-2 Evaporator.
In recent years HPLC/MS/MS and UPLC have become the sensitive and specific techniques of choice for the detection of algal toxins in water. While the majority of published studies employ SPE for preparing environmental samples for MS or UPLC analysis, it can be a time-consuming methodology. The paper evaluates direct solvent evaporation methodology, using the EZ-2 evaporator, as a means of reducing the lengthy sample preparation process prior to MS analysis and improving efficiency.
The authors demonstrate that using the EZ-2 for their sample preparation reduced processing time, simplified sample preparation and eliminated variability in percent water of the final solution. They conclude that the direct evaporative sample preparation method offers distinct advantages over SPE by eliminating the sample clean-up step, improving reproducibility, decreasing analysis time, minimising waste generation and being more cost effective. In addition, as minimal sample handling is required using the direct evaporative methodology, the risk of cross contamination and analyte loss is reduced.
