New technology expands applicability of headspace and SPME analyses for food and environmental samples

Markes International has announced a partnership with ExtraTECH Analytical Solutions to sell ExtraTECH's pioneering vacuum-assisted caps for headspace microextraction, which are set to significantly enhance the applicability of headspace, SPME, and SPME Arrow sample extractions.

ExtraTECH's vacuum-assisted caps ingeniously enpand the capabilities of headspace and sample extraction techniques, enabling analytes to be extracted under vacuum conditions. Unlike existing non-vacuum methods that require higher levels of heating and agitation, these caps offer a gentler approach, minimising the risk of sample degradation. Consequently, researchers and analysts can obtain more representative sample profiles with considerably higher extraction sensitivities, delivering tangible benefits across various analyses.

One of the key advantages of this innovative technology is the significant reduction in extraction times, often by as much as half, compared to conventional methods. By decreasing the initial pressure in the vial, the vacuum-assisted caps drastically reduce gas-sample phase resistance. This results in a faster transfer of mass analytes to the headspace, accelerating the overall extraction process. As a result, labs, particularly those with high throughput demands, such as those in the food and environmental sectors, can improve productivity substantially.