Automated sample preparation for the determination of testosterone in serum by LC-MSMS

Prior to any analysis by LC-MSMS, a sample clean-up step is recommended to remove matrix components such as proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and salts. Compared to most conventional sample preparation methods, this new approach has fewer processing steps and is easier to automate, as well as having the advantage that the final eluate can be injected directly into an LC-MSMS system, enabling quantitative analysis without the need for reconstitution. 

The centrepiece of the new sample preparation method is the AC Extraction Plate with TICE™ technology. The AC Extraction Plate offers a fast, robust and easy-to-automate analytical sample preparation method requiring minimal sample pre-treatment. Time consuming, difficult to automate procedures such as protein precipitation, filtration or centrifugation are eliminated, accelerating and simplifying the entire sample preparation workflow. The extraction can be performed manually, or be easily automated on a liquid handling platform.