Sample Preparation - Supported Liquid Extraction (SLE)

An interesting and useful variation of liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) is supported liquid extraction (SLE). Compounds are separated on the same basis of differential solubility, as with conventional liquid-liquid extraction. While the chemistry of this technique is very similar to that of LLE, the physical nature of the technique offers distinct benefits; such as the ability to automate due to the use of 96 well plate or column format tubes, cost effectiveness due to low solvent consumption, alleviation of emulsions which can be formed during traditional liquid/liquid extraction protocols, and improved recoveries and reproducibility in comparison to conventional liquid/liquid extraction.