Which sample preparation workflow fits your laboratory?

The Cortisol, Cortisone & Dexamethasone LC-MS/MS Reagent kit is available in two configurations. Both kits support quantitative analysis of cortisol, cortisone and dexamethasone in human serum or plasma, but they differ in sample preparation, workflow and degree of sample clean-up.

1320E KIT M CCD – Evaporation Method

The 1320E KIT M CCD is intended for laboratories looking for a rapid and cost-effective sample preparation workflow. This method uses protein precipitation, centrifugation, evaporation of the supernatant under nitrogen and reconstitution prior to LC-MS/MS analysis.


Advantages
Rapid and practical sample preparation.
Cost-effective workflow.
Limited need for additional consumables.
Suitable for laboratories that want to process larger sample series efficiently.
Liquid handling steps may be semi-automated.

Considerations
Less extensive sample clean-up than SPE.
May result in a higher matrix background.
On LC-MS/MS systems with lower sensitivity, this may affect analytical sensitivity at low analyte concentrations.
The evaporation step may limit full workflow automation, depending on the available equipment.


1320S KIT M CCD – SPE Method

The 1320S KIT M CCD is intended for laboratories that require more extensive sample clean-up. This method uses solid phase extraction prior to LC-MS/MS analysis and is particularly suitable when matrix reduction, contamination control or analytical sensitivity are important.


Advantages
More extensive sample clean-up than the Evaporation Method.
May reduce matrix background.
May reduce contamination of the LC-MS/MS system.
May be preferred when enhanced analytical sensitivity is required.
Can be automated using an automated SPE platform or an SPE-compatible liquid handling robot.

Considerations
More labour-intensive than the Evaporation Method.
Requires additional consumables, such as suitable SPE materials.
The workflow involves more handling steps and equipment than the Evaporation Method.