On-chip lipid extraction using superabsorbent polymers for mass spectrometry

Authors

Geul Bang, (KBSI, co-first), Young Hwan Kim (KBSI, co-first), Junghyo Yoon (Korea Univ.), Yeong Jun Yu (KBSI), Seok Chung (Korea Univ.), Jeong Ah Kim (KBSI, corresponding author)

Abstract

Typically, an extraction method used for lipid analysis with mass spectrometry is accompanied by complex liquid–liquid extraction. We have devised a simple, rapid, and efficient lipid extraction method using superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) and developed a high-throughput lipid extraction platform based on a microfluidic system. Since SAPs can rapidly absorb an aqueous solution from a raw sample and convert it into a gel, the lipid extraction process can be remarkably simplified. The hydrophobic lipid components were captured into the fibrous SAP gel and then solubilized and eluted directly into the organic solvent without significant interference by this polymer. The small-scale lipid extraction process minimizes the liquid handling and unnecessary centrifugation steps, thereby enabling the implementation of a SAP-integrated microfluidilipid extraction platform. The SAP method successfully induced reproducible extraction and high recovery rates (95−100 %) compared to the conventional Folch method in several lipid classes. We also demonstrated the feasibility of the SAP method for the analysis of lipids in complex biological samples, such as the brain and liver, as well as Escherichia coli.

Expected Contribution to Science & Technology

This technology provides high-throughput analysis with samples from complex biological specimens, such as plasma/serum, urine, saliva, and tissue, for clinical use and can be conducted automatically in conjunction with a robotic system.

• Principle of lipid extraction using superabsorbent polymers
• Superabsorbent-incorporated microfluidic chip system for lipid extraction