Solid phase extraction (SPE) is an extraction method that uses a solid phase and a liquid phase to isolate one, or one type, of analyte from a solution. it is usually used to clean up a sample before us­ing a chromatographic or other analytical method to quantify the amount of analyte(s) in the sample. The general procedure is to load a solution onto the SPE phase, wash away undesired components, and then wash off the desired analytes with another solvent into a collection tube. Solid-phase extractions use the same type of stationary phases as are used in liquid chromatography columns. The sta­tionary phase is contained in a glass or plastic column above a frit or glass wool. The column might have a frit on top of the stationary phase and might also have a stopcock to control the flow of solvent through the column. Commercial SPE cartridges have 1-10 ml capacities and are discarded after use. it is usually used to clean up a sample before using a chromatographic or other analytical method to quantify the amount of analyte(s) in the sample. Solid phase extraction procedures are used not only to extract traces of organic compounds from environmental samples but also to remove the interfering components of the complex matrices in order to obtain a cleaner extract containing the analytes of interest. The SPE technique is widely applied for isolation of analytes from a liquid matrix and purified extracts.
This paper is a review of the literature regarding general information about SPE technique, new trends in SPE technique and its application.