Supported Liquid Extraction (SLE)

Solid supported liquid/liquid (SLE) extraction is a fast effective sample preparation techniques that provides considerable benefits over liquid/liquid extraction (LLE) protocols for removal of phospholipids from biological samples.

SLE offers the following advantages:

• Greater recoveries and reproducibility compared to LLE
• Prevents emulsification as the sample and water immiscible solvent do not directly mix
• Reduced solvent requirements compared to LLE
• Can be completely automated
• Improved sample cleanliness and sensitivity compared to protein precipitation techniques

Supported Liquid Extraction (SLE) is a sample preparation technique used to simplify the extraction of analytes from aqueous samples before chromatographic analysis. Based on the principles of liquid-liquid extraction, supported liquid extraction uses an inert diatomaceous earth support to hold the aqueous sample across a high surface area, allowing a water-immiscible organic solvent to efficiently extract target compounds. This produces cleaner extracts and a more reproducible workflow for subsequent LC, GC, LC-MS and GC-MS analysis. 

Compared with traditional liquid-liquid extraction, SLE offers several practical advantages, including reduced emulsion formation, lower solvent consumption, less manual handling, and easier automation. By removing the need for vigorous mixing and phase separation steps, it helps laboratories improve extraction efficiency, reduce variability, and streamline sample preparation for complex biological, environmental, and food matrices. Our range includes high-quality SLE cartridges and SLE plates to support both routine and high-throughput workflows.