Sustainable, sensitive, reliable: The future of clinical sample preparation

Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) is a powerful technique utilized in clinical laboratories for its high sensitivity and specificity. LC-MS plays a crucial role in the accurate quantification of compounds from biofluids in clinical laboratories. Matrix effects from biofluids including serum, plasma, and saliva can make quantitation of target analytes challenging, especially at low concentrations. Solid phase extraction (SPE) provides cleaner samples for analysis but requires significant method development and hands-on time in a clinical analysis workflow. Clinical labs desire sample extraction methods that are fast, reliable, sustainable, and require minimal method development. Supported liquid extraction (SLE) is used widely in clinical laboratories. Minimal method development and extraction time makes SLE ideal for clinical LC-MS/MS methods to reduce hands-on time.

Strata™ SE SLE is Phenomenex’s next-generation SLE product. It is engineered to deliver highly clean extracts from biological matrices, supporting sensitive and reproducible quantification in low-level analytical workflows. Optimized for the isolation of hydrophobic analytes, the media facilitates efficient partitioning into organic solvents, making it particularly suitable for modern clinical and bioanalytical applications.

Strata™ SE SLE was tested on a panel of steroids in serum where very low LC-MS/MS limits of detection are required. Chromatograms showed minimal interferences and clean backgrounds, both necessary for accurate quantitation at low concentrations. Results from samples extracted using Strata™ SE SLE for steroid analysis consistently achieved the highest level of cleanliness, with reproducible performance over multiple lots of media and finished product, which is vital where repeat extractions can consume valuable lab resources and reduce turnaround time.

Strata SE SLE provides sustainable sample preparation. Regulations are limiting the use of halogenated solvents to protect human health. Hence, more clinical laboratories are modernizing their sample preparation methods to reduce use of these halogenated solvents in their analytical workflows. Unlike legacy products that required dichloromethane for optimum performance, Strata SE SLE provides excellent recovery with minimal matrix effects using ethyl acetate for elution. Strata SE SLE is available in a standardized 96-well plate format. Every batch of Strata SE SLE is QC tested by LC-MS/MS, to meet the demands of clinical researchers and their laboratory processes.

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