Sample Preparation

Sample preparation is a critical stage in analytical chemistry that ensures accurate, reliable, and reproducible test results. It involves a series of processes designed to convert a raw sample—whether solid, liquid, or gas—into a form suitable for analysis. Common steps may include homogenization, extraction, filtration, centrifugation, concentration, or purification, depending on the analytical technique used. The purpose of sample preparation is to remove potential interferences, concentrate the analyte of interest, and stabilize the sample for storage or measurement. In chromatography, for example, this stage might involve solvent extraction or solid-phase extraction (SPE) to isolate target compounds from complex matrices.