This course focuses on providing a complete understanding of SPE. You will learn:

• The principles of SPE and how analytes partition between mobile and stationary phases.
• How SPE can be used to clean up samples, remove matrix interferences, concentrate analytes, and improve analytical performance
• The complete SPE workflow, including sample pre-treatment, conditioning, equilibration, loading, washing, drying, and elution
• How to select appropriate sorbents based on analyte chemistry and matrix characteristics
• The differences between reversed-phase, normal-phase, ion-exchange, mixed-mode, dispersive, and polymeric SPE approaches
• How solvent strength, pH, buffer systems, and analyte properties influence SPE performance
• Practical approaches for SPE method development, optimisation, and validation
• How to monitor analyte recovery, assess matrix effects, and troubleshoot poor extraction performance
• Modern SPE automation technologies, including robotic systems and microextraction formats
• Real-world applications through practical case studies, including QuEChERS methodologies for food and environmental analysis

By the end of the course, you will:

• Be able to confidently define SPE and explain the principles behind chromatographic sample preparation
• Understand how analytes interact with SPE sorbents and how retention and elution mechanisms influence extraction success
• Know how analyte recovery and matrix effects impact method performance and data quality
• Understand how Log P, analyte polarity, ionisation state, and pH affect retention and extraction efficiency
• Recognise the importance of conditioning, equilibration, loading, washing, and elution steps in obtaining robust analytical results
• Learn how to optimise sorbent selection, wash solvents, elution solvents, and extraction conditions for maximum recovery and selectivity
• Become familiar with silica-based, polymeric, ion-exchange, molecularly imprinted, and mixed-mode sorbent technologies
• Gain confidence in developing, optimising, validating, and troubleshooting SPE methods
• Understand the benefits and limitations of automated SPE workflows and high-throughput sample preparation systems
• Gain an appreciation of how SPE is applied across environmental, pharmaceutical, food, forensic, biological, industrial, and analytical testing applications

This RSC-approved, for purposes of CPD, training is designed for anyone who would like a complete understanding of SPE and analytical sample preparation techniques.

• Laboratory analysts and technicians performing sample preparation and extraction procedures
• Scientists developing analytical methods involving GC, GC-MS, HPLC, UHPLC, LC-MS, and LC-MS/MS
• Laboratory managers overseeing analytical workflows and sample preparation activities
• Data analysts and report writers seeking a better understanding of sample preparation influences on analytical results
• Service engineers supporting analytical laboratory and sample preparation equipment
• Sales, commercial, and marketing teams working with sample preparation products, sorbents, automation systems, chemicals, or analytical instrumentation
• Researchers and scientists wanting a stronger understanding of extraction science, method optimisation, and laboratory best practice
• Anyone involved in environmental, pharmaceutical, food, chemical, forensic, biological, industrial, or research laboratories where sample preparation plays a critical role

If SPE is part of your laboratory, research, environmental, industrial, or product development work, this introductory course delivered by subject matter experts will provide a solid understanding in this analytical sample preparation technique.