Suitability testing of commercial solid-phase extraction sorbents for sample clean-up in systematic toxicological analysis using liquid chromatography–(tandem) mass spectrometry

An entire series of SPE sorbents, classified into three different categories (apolar, mixed-mode and polymeric) was evaluated for sample preparation of a data-dependent LC–MS–MS “general unknown” screening procedure. An extraction procedure was formulated for each individual column, in agreement with the enclosed instructions, according to the characteristics of each packing. For conciseness, only neutral and basic compounds were chosen for this sorbent suitability test. Thus, the goal of our research was to select the best sorbent with regard to extraction yield and cleanliness of the extracts, all with respect to data-dependent acquisition (DDA) mediated LC–MS–MS general unknown screening. We conclude that for that purpose an Isolute™ C8 sorbent performs best in terms of extraction yield and clean-up potential.