Signal Enhancement of Selected Norepinephrine Metabolites Extracted from Artificial Urine Samples by Capillary Electrophoretic Separation.

The measurement of selected norepinephrine metabolites, such as 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol (DHPG), 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethylenglycol (MHPG), and vanillylmandelic acid (VMA), in biological matrices-including urine-is of great clinical importance for the diagnosis and monitoring of diseases. This fact has forced researchers to evaluate new analytical methodologies for their isolation and preconcentration from biological samples. In this study, the three most popular extraction techniques-liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), solid-phase extraction (SPE), and a new 3D-printed system for dispersive solid-phase extraction (3D-DSPE)-were investigated.

3D-printed extraction devices fabricated from silica particles suspended in acrylate resin.

In recent years, there has been an increasing worldwide interest in the use of alternative sample preparation methods. Digital light processing (DLP) is a 3D printing technique based on using UV light to form photo-curable resin layer upon layer, which results in a printed shape. This study explores the application of this technique for the development of novel drug extraction devices in analytical chemistry.