Accelerated Solvent Extraction (ASE)
Definition
Extraction of solid matrices at 100 to 200 degrees Celsius and around 1500 psi in sealed stainless steel cells. Also called pressurised liquid extraction.
- Temperature
- 100 to 200 degrees Celsius
- Pressure
- About 1500 psi
- Vessel
- Sealed stainless steel cells
- Alternate name
- Pressurised liquid extraction
- Matrix type
- Solid samples
Common questions
Why use elevated temperature and pressure together?+
Heat increases solvent diffusion into the matrix and analyte solubility, while the pressure keeps the solvent liquid above its normal boiling point, together speeding extraction and improving recovery.
How does ASE compare to traditional Soxhlet extraction?+
ASE typically extracts a sample in minutes using far less solvent than a Soxhlet run, which can take hours, while achieving comparable or better analyte recovery.
What kinds of forensic samples suit this technique?+
Solid or semi-solid matrices such as fire debris, soil, tissue or textiles, where analytes need to be pulled out efficiently before instrumental analysis.
Related terms
- Dried Blood Spot (DBS)
- Sampling format in which 50 microlitres of capillary blood is spotted on Whatman 903 paper, dried and shipped at ambient temperature.
- HPTLC
- High-performance TLC with smaller silica particles, automated Camag Linomat band application and densitometric scanning that delivers quantitative results comparable to HPLC.
- Mixed-Mode SPE
- Sorbent that combines reverse-phase and ion-exchange chemistry on the same particle. Strata-X-C, Oasis MCX and Bond Elut Certify are the cation-exchange forms...
- Solid-Phase Extraction (SPE)
- Sample clean-up in which analytes are retained on a packed bed of bonded silica or polymer, interferences are washed off, and analytes...
- Solid-Phase Microextraction (SPME)
- Solvent-free extraction in which a fused silica fibre coated with a stationary phase is exposed to the sample or its headspace, and...