Centrifugally-driven sample extraction, preconcentration and purification in microfluidic compact discs

Centrifugally-driven microfluidic compact discs (mu-CDs) have attracted significant interest within the analytical science community in the past decade, with the primary focus on the potential of such platforms for performing parallel and/or multiplex biological assays and further application in biomedical diagnostics. More recently, mu-CD-based devices were also applied to environmental analysis as platforms for multi-sample extraction and transportation, prior to off-disc analysis in the laboratory. This review critically summarizes recent developments in mu-CD platforms for sample extraction, preconcentration, fractionation and purification in bioanalytical and environmental applications. We also summarize the common methods employed in the fabrication of mu-CD platforms. Further, we discuss preparation of stationary phases in microfluidic channels embedded in mu-CDs, as applications of mu-CDs in sample extraction are generally based on enclosed series of extraction phases and microcolumns. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.