MATRIX SOLID-PHASE DISPERSION EXTRACTION AND THE ANALYSIS OF DRUGS AND ENVIRONMENTAL-POLLUTANTS IN AQUATIC SPECIES

The classical methods of analyte isolation using homogenization and liquid-liquid partitioning have served for several decades as the standard for the analysis of drugs and environmental pollutants in aquatic species. However, these methods often are costly in terms of analyst time and solvent use and often cannot be accomplished before the materials in question have gone to market. While there have been improvements in screening and determinative techniques, these classical extraction methods are now a limiting factor in residue monitoring. We present here an overview of tissue residue methods for the analysis of drugs and chlorinated pesticides in aquatic resources and offer a comparison to newer extraction technologies, such as solid-phase extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, and matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD), as alternatives. MSPD, in particular, shows a great potential to reduce labor and solvent costs and improve sample throughput for residue monitoring programs directed toward aquatic species.