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

ObjectivesTo study if functionalized ferromagnetic micro-particles used for extraction procedures prior to chromatographic analyses can be handled within an HPLC system.MethodWe 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.ResultsThe system allowed linear and reproducible quantification of the representative target analyte.ConclusionsSample 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.