Doctoral Dissertation Themes

Automation of QuEChERS-like preparation for modern separation techniques

The objective of this thesis is the development of automated pretreatment methodologies and belonging apparatus based primarily on homogeneous liquid-liquid microextraction for contaminant analysis on coupled analyte separation techniques. The final aim are QuEChERS-like sample preparation protocols capable to be applicable to complex food and biological sample matrices, i.e., combining analyte enrichment with subsequent extract cleanup by solid-phase extractions. Depending on the nature of the analytes, capillary electrophoresis or chromatographic techniques will be used as separation techniques. For procedural automation, the flow batch technique “Lab-In-Syringe” and the operational concept of “Bead Injection” and dispersive solid phase extraction will be used. It is planned that the candidate will undertake a research stay at a foreign institution to widen his/her expertise.

Supervisor: doc. PharmDr. Hana Sklenářová, Ph.D.

Keywords: Automation, sample pretreatment, contaminant analysis, homogenous liquid-liquid extraction, QuEChERS, separation techniques