Preparation of plasma samples for chromatographic analyses using functionalized ferromagnetic micro-particles manipulated in a high pressure liquid system

Objectives: To study if functionalized ferromagnetic micro-particles used for extraction procedures prior to chromatographic analyses can be handled within an HPLC system. Method: We used C18-functionalized ferromagnetic micro-particles, manipulated within a high-performance liquid chromatography system for extraction of plasma samples, with a novel extractor device enabling reversible immobilization of the particles within HPLC tubing. A pilot analytical system for the quantification of itraconazole in plasma - as a representative small molecule analyte - by ultraviolet detection was configured and tested. Results: The system allowed linear and reproducible quantification of the representative target analyte. Conclusions: Sample preparation of biological samples can be achieved by handling of functionalized ferromagnetic micro-particles which are handled within a high pressure liquid chromatography configuration; this offers interesting perspectives for the development of automated sample preparation devices. (c) 2009 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.