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

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