Chapter 12: Sample Preparation Methods for the Analysis of Biogenic Amines

Sample preparation encompasses all the steps that are required before a sample is ready for analytical determination. This chapter starts by dwelling on issues pertaining to sample preparation. This is followed by a treatment on classical methods based on liquid–liquid extraction (LLE) and solid phase extraction (SPE). Despite the popularity of these methods, emerging methods are steadily making inroads, thus a treatment on these methods are next introduced. These non-classical methods can be categorized as solvent-based (e.g. cloud point, salting out, dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction, hollow fibre liquid phase microextraction) and sorbent-based microextractions (e.g. solid phase microextraction, matrix solid phase extraction, micro-solid phase extraction, dispersive micro-solid phase, QuEChERS). For each technique, the basic working principles, strengths and weaknesses are provided. Examples of how these methods have been used in biogenic amine analysis are also discussed. The greenness of an analysis has also being debated lately. Models are introduced with the main aim of ranking the greenness of an analytical method. One such approach is the eco-scale concept where procedures used for the analysis is deducted penalty points for non-environmentally friendly operations. The chapter concludes by providing the current status of sample preparations, with a prediction of the direction where the technology is heading.