MATRIX SOLID-PHASE DISPERSION EXTRACTION AND THE ANALYSIS OF DRUGS AND ENVIRONMENTAL-POLLUTANTS IN AQUATIC SPECIES

The classical methods of analyte isolation using homogenization and li quid-liquid partitioning have served for several decades as the standa rd for the analysis of drugs and environmental pollutants in aquatic s pecies. However, these methods often are costly in terms of analyst ti me and solvent use and often cannot be accomplished before the materia ls in question have gone to market. While there have been improvements in screening and determinative techniques, these classical extraction methods are now a limiting factor in residue monitoring. We present h ere an overview of tissue residue methods for the analysis of drugs an d chlorinated pesticides in aquatic resources and offer a comparison t o newer extraction technologies, such as solid-phase extraction, super critical fluid extraction, and matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD), a s alternatives. MSPD, in particular, shows a great potential to reduce labor and solvent costs and improve sample throughput for residue mon itoring programs directed toward aquatic species.