|
Sample preparation is often a limiting step in chemical analysis. Not only is it an important source of uncertainty in the analysis, but it is also often a lengthy and labor-intensive process. This monograph provides a solid and practical overview with depth on this important topic, serving as Volume 162 of the well known Chemical Analysis series of monographs. An unusually wide range of sample types is covered here, including volatile organics, semi-volatile organics, metals, biochemicals, and materials for microscopy and surface analysis. About a quarter of the book is devoted to sample preparation in DNA and RNA analyses. Coupled with the coverage of material science samples, it is a good reminder of the ever-increasing importance of biochemical analyses and material science within analytical chemistry, and indeed, all branches of chemistry. Chapters are filled with useful explanations of both established classic methods (e.g., liquid-liquid extraction) and newer alternatives (e.g., solid phase microextraction, membrane extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, PCR amplification, biotin-streptavidin methods). High throughput methods are also included. All chapters include useful figures, tables, and references (current to ∼ 2002). As might be expected, the nucleic acid preparation chapters and the surface analysis preparation chapters help stretch the definition of traditional analytical chemistry, a positive and needed shift. I suspect few undergraduate or graduate programs offer full-semester courses that would exactly match this monograph. However, the book would be very useful to individual analysts, biochemists, environmental scientists, and material scientists, and should certainly be recommended for addition to almost any library collection.
|
Citation
