Ensuring Quality Data for Organochlorine Pesticide Analysis by Using an Optimized SPE Cartridge for Sample Extract Cleanup

Automation & Innovation for Sample Preparation
Oral Presentation

Presented by J. Hoisington
Prepared by J. Thomas, A. Shelow, C. Meyers
Restek Corporation, 110 Benner Circle, Bellefonte, PA, 16823, United States


Contact Information: [email protected]; 814-353-1300

ABSTRACT

Some of the most commonly encountered problems experienced by those analyzing environmental samples for organochlorine pesticides are instrument downtime and shortened calibration periods both due to the deleterious effects of coextracted matrix components that are introduced into the analytical instrument during sample injection. In addition to this, chromatographic interferences complicating identification and quantification have also made life difficult for environmental analysts.
Ensuring quality data is dependent upon maintaining the analytical instrument in operable order so that accurate data may be collected without the effects of an active induction system and difficulties arising from chromatographic interferences, effective extract cleanup procedures must be implemented. Although there are cleanup options provided such as Florisil, silica gel, and alumina, these normal phase solutions often do not adequately remove the less polar and high molecular weight compounds that are responsible for diminishing instrumental performance and sample path inertness.
In this presentation, a cartridge is introduced that is designed specifically to be utilized exactly like the frequently employed Florisil cartridge, but to a much superior effect for highly pigmented and inlet degrading samples. What this means for the analyst is the ability to maintain instrument reliability, ultimately leading to higher quality data.