Semi-Automated Stir Bar Sorptive Extraction (SBSE) in Combination with HPLC – Fluorescence Detection for the Determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Water

App Note 1/2002

In this study we describe the possibility of automation of the SBSE desorption step with direct transfer of the liquid extract to HPLC by use of the GERSTEL– MultiPurpose autosampler MPS (Twister Back-Extraction). For this purpose the MPS was equipped with a temperature programmable agitator and a special software. Using this procedure, after extraction of water samples by SBSE, the only manual step is the removal of stir bars from the sample vial and transfer to 250 μL glass inserts placed inside 2 mL autosampler vials. The MPS then adds the ACN/water mixture to the stir bar, transports the vial to the agitator, where it is agitated at a defined temperature during the preset desorption time and finally withdraws an aliquot of the extract, which is injected into the HPLC.