MEMBRANE-BASED SAMPLE PREPARATION FOR CHROMATOGRAPHY

The use of membrane-based systems for sample preparation prior to chromatographic analysis is reviewed. A categorization of membrane separation techniques (dialysis with porous and with non-porous membranes, electrodialysis and ultrafiltration) for sample preparation purposes is presented and the theoretical background of membrane separation is shortly discussed. The applicability of these techniques is demonstrated by presenting examples of the use of membrane-based devices, on-line coupled to gas or liquid chromatography, for sample preparation in the biomedical, environmental and biotechnological field. Finally, the relative merits of the various membrane separation techniques are compared, with special emphasis on speed, recovery, selectivity and robustness.