molecules Modern Sample Preparation Approaches for Separation Science Edited by Nuno Neng Printed Edition of the Special Issue Published in Molecules www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules Modern Sample Preparation Approaches for Separation Science Modern Sample Preparation Approaches for Separation Science Special Issue Editor Nuno Neng MDPI • Basel • Beijing • Wuhan • Barcelona • Belgrade Special Issue Editor Nuno Neng Universidade de Lisboa Portugal Editorial Office MDPI St. Alban-Anlage 66 4052 Basel, Switzerland This is areprint of articles from the Special Issue published online in the open access journal Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049) from 2018 to 2019 (available at: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules/ special issues/modern sample separation) For citation purposes, cite each article independently as indicated on the article page online and as indicated below: LastName, A.A.; LastName, B.B.; LastName, C.C. Article Title. Journal Name Year, Article Number, Page Range. 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Contents About the Special Issue Editor ...................................... vii Preface to ”Modern Sample Preparation Approaches for Separation Science” .......... ix Ruiqin Zhu, Ying Dong, Xiangyang Cai and Chuixiu Huang Determination of Barbiturates in Biological Specimens by Flat Membrane-Based Liquid-Phase Microextraction and Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Reprinted from: molecules 2019, 24, 1494, doi:10.3390/molecules24081494 .............. 1 Thomas Ribette, Bertrand Leroux, Balkis Eddhif, Audrey Allavena, Marc David, Robert Sternberg, Pauline Poinot and Claude Geffroy-Rodier Primary Step Towards In Situ Detection of Chemical Biomarkers in the UNIVERSE via Liquid-Based Analytical System: Development of an Automated Online Trapping/Liquid Chromatography System Reprinted from: molecules 2019, 24, 1429, doi:10.3390/molecules24071429 .............. 13 Rui Zhang, Zhen-Chao Tan, Ke-Cheng Huang, Yan Wen, Xiang-Ying Li, Jun-Long Zhao and Cheng-Lan Liu A Vortex-Assisted Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction Followed by UPLC-MS/MS for Simultaneous Determination of Pesticides and Aflatoxins in Herbal Tea Reprinted from: molecules 2019, 24, 1029, doi:10.3390/molecules24061029 .............. 26 Wenbin Chen, Xijuan Tu, Dehui Wu, Zhaosheng Gao, Siyuan Wu and Shaokang Huang Comparison of the Partition Efficiencies of Multiple Phenolic Compounds Contained in Propolis in Different Modes of Acetonitrile–Water-Based Homogenous Liquid–Liquid Extraction Reprinted from: molecules 2019, 24, 442, doi:10.3390/molecules24030422 .............. 38 Ying Xue, Xian-Shun Xu, Li Yong, Bin Hu, Xing-De Li, Shi-Hong Zhong, Yi Li, Jing Xie and Lin-Sen Qing Optimization of Vortex-Assisted Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction for the Simultaneous Quantitation of Eleven Non-Anthocyanin Polyphenols in Commercial Blueberry Using the Multi-Objective Response Surface Methodology and Desirability Function Approach Reprinted from: molecules 2018, 23, 2921, doi:10.3390/molecules23112921 .............. 49 Ola Svahn and Erland Bj¨orklund High Flow-Rate Sample Loading in Large Volume Whole Water Organic Trace Analysis Using Positive Pressure and Finely Ground Sand as a SPE-Column In-Line Filter Reprinted from: molecules 2019, 24, 1426, doi:10.3390/molecules24071426 .............. 63 Luyi Jiang, Jie Wang, Huan Zhang, Caijing Liu, Yiping Tang and Chu Chu New Vortex-Synchronized Matrix Solid-Phase Dispersion Method for Simultaneous Determination of Four Anthraquinones in Cassiae Semen Reprinted from: molecules 2019, 24, 1312, doi:10.3390/molecules24071312 .............. 78 Wenbang Li, Fangling Wu, Yongwei Dai, Jing Zhang, Bichen Ni and Jiabin Wang Poly (Octadecyl Methacrylate-Co-Trimethylolpropane Trimethacrylate) Monolithic Column for Hydrophobic in-Tube Solid-Phase Microextraction of Chlorophenoxy Acid Herbicides Reprinted from: molecules 2019, 24, 1678, doi:10.3390/molecules24091678 .............. 92 v Luiz G. M. Beloti, Luis F. C. Miranda and Maria EugˆeniaC. Queiroz Butyl Methacrylate-Co-Ethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate Monolith for Online in-Tube SPME-UHPLC-MS/MS to Determine Chlopromazine, Clozapine, Quetiapine, Olanzapine, and Their Metabolites in Plasma Samples Reprinted from: molecules 2019, 24, 310, doi:10.3390/molecules24020310 ..............105 Huifang Liu, Geun Su Noh, Yange Luan, Zhen Qiao, Bonhan Koo, Yoon Ok Jang and Yong Shin A Sample Preparation Technique Using Biocompatible Composites for Biomedical Applications Reprinted from: molecules 2019, 24, 1321, doi:10.3390/molecules24071321 ..............118 Naiara M. F. M. Sampaio, Natara D. B. Castilhos, Bruno C. da Silva, Izabel C. Riegel-Vidotti and Bruno J. G. Silva Evaluation of Polyvinyl Alcohol/Pectin-Based Hydrogel Disks as Extraction Phase for Determination of Steroidal Hormones in Aqueous Samples by GC-MS/MS Reprinted from: molecules 2019, 24, 40, doi:10.3390/molecules24010040 ...............128 Ana R. M. Silva, Nuno R. Neng and Jos´eM. F. Nogueira Multi-Spheres Adsorptive Microextraction (MSAµE)—Application of a Novel Analytical Approach for Monitoring Chemical Anthropogenic Markers in Environmental Water Matrices Reprinted from: molecules 2019, 24, 931, doi:10.3390/molecules24050931 ..............141 Anna Klimek-Turek, Kamila Jagli ´nska,Magdalena Imbierowicz and Tadeusz Henryk Dzido Solvent Front Position Extraction with Semi-Automatic Device as a Powerful Sample Preparation Procedure Prior to Quantitative Instrumental Analysis Reprinted from: molecules 2019, 24, 1358, doi:10.3390/molecules24071358 ..............151 Fumiki Takahashi, Masaru Kobayashi, Atsushi Kobayashi, Kanya Kobayashi and Hideki Asamura High-Frequency Heating Extraction Method for Sensitive Drug Analysis in Human Nails Reprinted from: molecules 2018, 23, 3231, doi:10.3390/molecules23123231 ..............164 Xijuan Tu and Wenbin Chen A Review on the Recent Progress in Matrix Solid Phase Dispersion Reprinted from: molecules 2018, 23, 2767, doi:10.3390/molecules23112767 ..............175 Yan-hong Liu, Bo Wan and Ding-shuai Xue Sample Digestion and Combined Preconcentration Methods for the Determination of Ultra-Low Gold Levels in Rocks Reprinted from: molecules 2019, 24, 1778, doi:10.3390/molecules24091778 ..............188 Ivan Liakh, Alicja Pakiet, Tomasz Sledzinski and Adriana Mika Modern Methods of Sample Preparation for the Analysis of Oxylipins in Biological Samples Reprinted from: molecules 2019, 24, 1639, doi:10.3390/molecules24081639 ..............208 Yuan Zhang, Wei-e Zhou, Jia-qing Yan, Min Liu, Yu Zhou, Xin Shen, Ying-lin Ma, Xue-song Feng, Jun Yang and Guo-hui Li A Review of the Extraction and Determination Methods of Thirteen Essential Vitamins to the Human Body: An Update from 2010 Reprinted from: molecules 2018, 24, 1484, doi:10.3390/molecules23061484 ..............246 vi About the Special Issue Editor Nuno Neng graduated in Chemistry from Faculdade de Cienciasˆ da Universidade de Lisboa (FCUL) in 2005 and completed a Master’s degree in Biomedical Inorganic Chemistry—Applications in Diagnostic and Therapy in 2007 at the same institution. In 2012, N.R. Neng obtained a PhD degree in Analytical Chemistry by the FCUL and gained a post-doctoral fellowship from Fundac¸ao˜ para a Cienciaˆ e a Tecnologia. In 2017, N.R. Neng was invited auxiliary professor and more recently as a junior researcher at FCUL. N.R. Neng specializes in experimental techniques in the area of separation science and technology with prominence to the development, optimization and validation of new analytical strategies for the trace analysis of chemical compounds. In this context, his research field falls upon areas such as environment, food, forensic, and clinical trials, among others. vii Preface to ”Modern Sample Preparation Approaches for Separation Science” My thoughts for this book are to provide a set of high-quality studies and ideas of modern sample preparation techniques for analytical separation. Sample preparation is an essential step in most analytical methods for environmental and biomedical analysis, since the target analytes are often not detected in their in-situ forms, or the results are distorted by interfering species. In the past decade, modern sample preparation techniques have aimed to comply with green analytical chemistry principles, leading to simplification, miniaturization, easy manipulation of the analytical devices, low costs, strong reduction or absence of toxic organic solvents, and low sample volume requirements. The Special Issue gathered in this printed book was able to gather 18 peer-reviewed manuscripts, with 14 original research articles and 4 reviews. The manuscripts were submitted by research groups from different countries that fit the aims and scope of this Special Issue. I would like to thank all contributors, authors, and colleagues who chose to publish their works here, as well as the reviewers who dedicated their time, effort, and expertise to evaluating the submissions and assuring the high quality of the published work. I would also like to thank the publisher MDPI and the editorial staff of the journal for their constant