Strategies for solid sample treatment

An overview of the different ways to accomplish pretreatment of solid samples is presented. The use of (a) auxiliary energies such as lyophilisation, ultrasound, microwaves and laser radiation, (b) commercial modules including simple units such as Soxhlet and more sophisticated supercritical fluid extractors, and (c) robotic stations working individually or coupled to other automated alternatives, is looked at critically.