ARTICLES

Sample Preparation for Food Contaminant Analysis
Kathy Ridgeway
A number of different sample preparation extraction techniques are available to the food analyst and the method of choice will depend on the matrix type and analyte(s) of interest. There is a move towards microextraction techniques, or analysis with little or no sample preparation. These approaches are regarded as more "environmentally friendly", although the use of less solvent must be used with caution for complex matrices, such as food. Examples of a wide variety of sample preparation techniques for the analysis of trace-level contaminants in food and the advantages and disadvantages of each are discussed in this article.

Simultaneous Determination of Amlodipine and Atoravastin in Tablet Formulations and Plasma using Capillary Electrophoresis
Ahmed O. Alnajjar
Capillary electrophoresis (CE) with a UV photo-diode array (DAD) detector was used in a new method to detect the assay of amlodipine besylate (AML) and atorvastatin (ATO) in pharmaceutical formulations and human plasma.

Special Feature: Pittcon Preview
Marian Nardozzi
A preview of what Pittcon has to offer chromatographers in 2012.

COLUMNS

QUESTIONS OF QUALITY
How Raw Is Your Data in 2012?
Bob McDowall
This month's Question of Quality revisits the topic of raw data and electronic records for Chromatography Data Systems (CDSs) in light of recent updates in regulations and guidance issued by regulatory agencies and industry bodies. We look at ways to define what raw data are for a CDS and pose the question if it is still possible to define paper records as chromatographic raw data.

LC TROUBLESHOOTING
A Case of Sporadic LC Assay Results
Michael W. Dong and Kelly Louie
A mysterious autosampler problem is solved.

COLUMN WATCH
It's All About Selectivity
Ron Majors and Diane Turner
In gas chromatography, selectivity is commonly thought about exclusively in the column stationary phase and sometimes extended to the detector. This article looks at selectivity throughout the whole sample analysis cycle from the sampling stage, through sample preparation, sample introduction, analyte separation, analyte detection, data analysis and report generation. Every step in this cycle must be considered — choosing the correct technique for each step, optimizing the experimental parameters and proper application of the method to the analysis — to gain full benefits and a truly robust method that is fit for purpose.

DEPARTMENTS
Products
Literature
Event: HPLC 2012

Upcoming Webcast:

(Matrix) Interference Based Sample Prep Selection: Analyzing a complex sample with the simplest workflow
January 26, 2012 at 10:00 AM EST; 4:00 CET
Event Overview: As more analytical assays migrate towards LCMS based detection, an ever common series of matrix interferences present the biggest challenges to method robustness and reproducibility and overall laboratory throughput. To learn more and register free for this webcast please click here.