Smart materials for sample preparation in bioanalysis: A green overview

Abstract

The analysis of biological samples is a complex challenge due to the complexity of the matrix, but also to the low concentration of target analytes that must be determined. Consequently, different sample treatment procedures have been proposed in bioanalysis to clean-up and enrich sample extracts, paying special attention to microextraction approaches. In this frame, the combined use of microextraction approaches with smart materials provides environmentally friendly sample treatment strategies with improved selectivity, sensitivity, and reusability. Applications of smart solid materials includes antibody–antigen interaction based materials, aptamers, molecularly imprinted polymers, metal organic frameworks, restricted access materials, carbon based nanomaterials, and magnetic nanoparticles. On the other hand, smart liquid materials used in sample preparation in bioanalysis comprise bio-based solvents, supramolecular solvents, ionic liquids, and deep eutectic solvents. Synthesis and applications of smart materials have been discussed under a Green Analytical Chemistry perspective.