An exploration of fundamental as well as practical aspects of supercritical fluid chromatography and extraction. It addresses topics such as: packed columns in SFC; detection in SFC; supercritical fluid chromatography/mass spectroscopy; and evaporative light scattering detection in SFC.

Supercritical Fluid Extraction is a technique in which CO2 is used under extremely high pressure to separate solution (e.g., removing caffeine from coffee). Separations is basic to all process industries and supercritical fluid extraction is a specific type which is receiving a high level of attention. The book will combine basic fundamentals with industrial applications. The second edition has been expanded and updated and includes new chapters on chromatography and food processing. "...this is an excellent book which is both instructive and amusing to read. Its true value is neatly summarised in one of the closing sentences: 'We have supplied you with the guidelines and criteria which you can now apply when considering supercritical fluids for your own needs.'' - Chemistry in Britain, February 1995

Supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) is a rapidly developing laboratory technique for the separation and identification of compounds in mixtures. Significant improvements in instrumentation have rekindled interest in SFC in recent years and enhanced its standing in the scientific community. Many scientists are familiar with column liquid chromatography and its strengths and weaknesses, but the possibilities brought to the table by SFC are less well-known and are underappreciated. Supercritical Fluid Chromatography is a thorough and encompassing reference that defines the concept of contemporary practice in SFC and how it should be implemented in laboratory science. Given the changes that have taken place in SFC, this book presents contemporary aspects and applications of the technique and introduces SFC as a natural solution in the larger field of separation science. The focus on state-of-the-art instrumental SFC distinguishes this work as the go-to reference work for those interested in implementing the technique at an advanced level. - Edited and authored by world-leading chromatography experts - Provides comprehensive coverage of SFC in a single source - Extensive referencing facilitates identification of key research developments - More than 200 figures and tables aid in the retention of key concepts

This book explores the fundamental and practical aspects of supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) and extraction. It discusses packed columns in SFC; detection in SFC; supercritical fluid chromatography/mass spectroscopy; and evaporative light scattering detection in SFC.

by Professor D. E. Games, Mass Spectrometry Research Unit, University College of Swansea Sample preparation can be viewed as occupying a Cinderella role in analytical science. However, the quality of sample preparation plays a key role in high In the past decade, there has been quality analysis and deserves higher stature. considerable interest in the use of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) as an alternative to conventional procedures for the preparation of samples for ana lysis. The driving force for this development is the need for automated, sim pler, faster, non-destructive and selective methods for extraction, preferably using non-toxic extraction media which are easily disposed of. Utilization of supercritical fluids for extraction fulfils these requirements because of their unique physical chemical properties and usually low toxicity. Selectivity can be achieved by suitable selection of pressure (density), temperature and modi fier conditions which enable solvating power to be varied. The high diffusivity of supercritical fluids provides rapid sample penetration and extraction. Use of fluids with low critical temperatures enables extraction to be conducted under mild thermal conditions ensuring that thermally labile compounds do not decompose. The technique can be used off-line, and the extracts analysed by appropriate techniques, or it can be used on-line, by coupling with a variety of chromatographic techniques. These can then, if necessary, be coupled fur ther with spectroscopic techniques, such as Fourier transform infrared, ultra violet or mass spectrometry, to provide specific identification or structural information.

Recent advances in analytical chemistry have turned it into a virtually unrecognizable science compared to a few decades ago, when it lagged behind other sciences and techniques. However, advances in analytical science have been far from universal: while innovations in instrumentation and data acquisition and processing systems have reached unprecedented levels thanks to parallel breakthroughs in computer science and chemo metrics, progress in preliminary operations has been much slower despite their importance to analytical results. Thus, such clear trends in analytical process development as automation and miniaturization have not reached preliminary operations to the same extent, even though this area is pro bably in the greatest need. Improvement in preliminary operations is thus an urgent goal of analytical chemistry on the verge of the twenty first century. Increased R&D endeavours and manufacture of commercially available automatic equipment for implementation of the wide variety of operations that separate the uncollected, unmeasured, untreated sample from the signal measuring step are thus crucial on account of the wide variability of such operations, which precludes development of all-purpose equipment, and the complexity of some, particularly relating to solid samples. Supercritical fluid extraction opens up interesting prospects in this context and is no doubt an effective approach to automatioI1 and mini aturization in the preliminary steps of the analytical process. The dramatic developments achieved in its short life are atypical in many respects.

Packed Column SFC is the third title to be published in this series and has been produced as a result of the dramatic re-emergence, in the last three years, of packed column instrumentation. This has led to a redefinition of the technique and an urgent need for a practical guide that deals with its subtleties. This book fulfils that need and deals exclusively with packed column SFC. It places the emphasis on understanding the underlying chemistry in order to perform rapid, systematic optimizations and provides many practical tips to help the new user avoid problems unique to SFC. It also proposes a detailed scheme for method development and provides lists of prioritized guidelines. The book clears up some of the confusion that surrounds the analytical use of supercritical fluids and assists the user in understanding the power and utility of this technique. Detailed chapters cover the most promising new application areas for packed column SFC, which are often overlooked in the mainstream chromatography literature. Like the other books in this popular series, Packed Column SFC will prove an invaluable guide and is essential reading for graduates, postgraduates and researchers with interests in pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemistry, small polar drug molecules, chiral analysis, environmental chemistry, and chromatography/instrumentation.