Microextraction by packed sorbent (MEPS)

•Microextraction by packed sorbent (MEPS) is a green method of sample preparation.•We describe the structure and format of microextraction by packed sorbent (MEPS).•Recent applications of microextraction by packed sorbent (MEPS), such as MEPS-MS/MS.•The advantages and the disadvantages of microextraction by packed sorbent (MEPS).

Sample preparation is an important stage in separation and determination of components of interest from complex matrices. Sample preparation strongly influences the reliability and the accuracy of the analysis and the data quality. Recent trends in sample preparation include miniaturization, automation, high-throughput performance, on-line coupling with analytical instruments and low-cost operation using little or no solvent consumption. In the past decade, microextraction by packed sorbent (MEPS) was introduced as a simple, fast, on-line sample-preparation technique. Also, MEPS requires less sample and less solvent. This review gives an outline of the MEPS technique, including fields of application, common formats and sorbents, factors that affect performance, and the major advantages and limitations. Further, we offer and discuss our perspective on the future of MEPS.