Sample preparation for HPLC

Only liquid samples can be introduced in the HPLC system. Therefore, sample pre-treatment is required to clean-up interferences and/or dissolve the analytes in a solvent. Three techniques are typically used to remove interferences are extraction, filtration and centrifugation.

When the sample is solid, we need to process the sample from solid into homogeneous solution. We can start by crushing the sample to make powder by using a mortar and pestle. Then we can dissolve the powdered sample into a solution. To eliminate clumps of sample that is not properly dissolved, we can run the solution through a fine filter (typically a 0.5μm filter). Now we can be sure that our sample is a homogeneous solution and ready to be injected into the HPLC instrument.