Current advances and applications of in-tube solid-phase microextraction

In-tube solid-phase microextraction (in-tube SPME) with capillary column as extraction device allows direct coupling to high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) systems. This technique associates the advantages of on-line systems with the advantages of miniaturized systems. Since its development, in-tube SPME has been continuously improved. New couplings have also been evaluated on the basis of state-of-the-art HPLC instruments. Major achievements include the development of new capillary coatings to enhance the in-tube SPME performance (sorption capacity and selectivity). Innovative SPME fibers (fiber in-tube SPME) and capillary coatings based mainly on monolithic, nanoparticles, ionic liquids, carbon, and hybrid materials have been evaluated. This review provides an overview of the fundamental theory and current advances concerning in-tube SPME systems and highlights their main applications in environmental, clinical, and food analyses. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.