Recent advances in biological sample preparation methods coupled with chromatography, spectrometry and electrochemistry analysis techniques

Biological samples are complex and often contain many proteins, lipids and other contaminants, which affect the separation and ionization properties of the analytes. Moreover, the concentration of the analytes is very low in comparison with that of the interfering substances. Therefore, the development of biological sample preparation methods has become more and more challenging. The objective of this review is to provide a broad overview of the main biological samples (urine, blood, plasma, serum, hair, human breast milk, saliva, sweat and skin surface lipids, fecal and tissue), recent advances and applications of various sample preparation methods prior to chromatography, spectrometry and electrochemistry analysis over the past five years. Novel and modern approaches in biological sample preparation are especially emphasized. Finally, challenges and future perspectives to improve development of sample preparation methods are described.