Solid-phase trapping of solutes for further chromatographic or electrophoretic analysis

Because of its simplicity, speed and effectiveness, solid-phase extraction (SPE) has become the preferred technique for concentration of selected anal ytes prior to chromatographic or electrophoretic analysis. In this review t he historical development of SPE is briefly traced. Then the principles of SPE are reviewed in some detail. Numerous references are given on the forma t, sorbents, elution conditions, online techniques and automation with spec ial emphasis on relatively recent developments. The principles and recent a dvances in solid-phase microextraction (SPME) are also reviewed. The final section on selected recent applications includes an extensive list of refer ences to work published within the last three years. Future trends and deve lopments are discussed briefly. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights r eserved.