Ethylenediamine-N-propyl bonded silica
40–75 μm
100 Å
Carbon Content: 8%
Dual amino groups
Stronger ion exchange capacity than NH₂
For removal of fatty acids, organic acids, pigments, sugars and metal ions
Availability: In Stock
PSA SPE Cartridge
Description
Specialized PSA SPE Cleanup for QuEChERS Workflows
PSA SPE cartridges use ethylenediamine-N-propyl bonded silica containing both primary and secondary amino groups. Compared with standard NH₂ SPE sorbents, PSA phases provide significantly stronger weak anion exchange capacity and improved cleanup efficiency for complex food and biological matrices.
PSA SPE is one of the most widely used cleanup sorbents in QuEChERS pesticide residue analysis because it efficiently removes:
- Fatty acids
- Organic acids
- Sugars and carbohydrates
- Polar pigments
- Natural phenolic compounds
- Metal ions
- Matrix co-extractives
By removing these interfering compounds, PSA SPE cleanup reduces matrix effects in LC-MS/MS and GC-MS analysis, improves analytical sensitivity, and helps maintain stable instrument performance during high-throughput pesticide screening.
Why PSA SPE is the Standard QuEChERS Cleanup Sorbent
- Higher ion exchange capacity than NH₂– dual amino groups provide stronger retention of acidic interferences
- Efficient fatty acid removal– ideal for fatty foods, oils, meat and dairy extracts
- Metal ion chelation capability– removes copper, iron and transition metal contaminants
- Reduced matrix effect– improves LC-MS/MS signal stability and quantitative accuracy
- Compatible with QuEChERS methods– suitable for AOAC 2007.01 and EN 15662 workflows
- Flexible workflow compatibility– suitable for dispersive SPE (dSPE) and cartridge SPE cleanup
PSA vs Other QuEChERS Cleanup Sorbents
| Sorbent | Primary Removal Targets | Best For | Main Limitation |
| PSA | Fatty acids, sugars, organic acids, pigments, metal ions | General QuEChERS cleanup | Less effective for heavy lipid removal than C18 |
| C18 | Lipids, triglycerides, non-polar fats | High-fat food matrices | Limited acidic interference removal |
| GCB | Chlorophyll, carotenoids, pigments | Tea, vegetables, herbs | May retain planar pesticides |
| NH₂ | Mild acidic compounds | General polar cleanup | Lower ion exchange capacity than PSA |
| Silica | Non-polar interferences | Normal-phase cleanup | Not suitable for QuEChERS aqueous extracts |
In many QuEChERS workflows, PSA is combined with C18 SPE sorbents or GCB cleanup sorbents to achieve broader matrix cleanup performance.
How PSA SPE Reduces Matrix Effects in LC-MS/MS & GC-MS
Food extracts often contain co-extracted matrix components that interfere with chromatographic separation and ionization efficiency. These matrix compounds can suppress analyte response, contaminate ion sources, and shorten instrument maintenance intervals.
PSA SPE cleanup improves analytical performance by:
- Reducing ion suppression and matrix enhancement
- Lowering background noise in chromatograms
- Improving pesticide recovery consistency
- Reducing contamination of LC-MS ion sources
- Protecting GC inlet liners and analytical columns
- Extending instrument maintenance intervals
This is especially important in high-throughput pesticide residue laboratories running large batches of food extracts daily.
Sorbent Chemistry & Retention Mechanism
| Parameter | Specification |
| Sorbent | Ethylenediamine-N-propyl bonded silica (PSA) |
| Particle Size | 40–75 μm |
| Pore Size | 100 Å |
| pKa | 10.1 and 10.9 |
| Retention Mechanism | Weak anion exchange + polar adsorption + chelation |
| Primary Applications | Removal of fatty acids, organic acids, pigments, sugars and metal ions |
| Workflow Compatibility | QuEChERS dSPE, cartridge SPE, LC-MS/MS and GC-MS sample cleanup |
Typical Food & Environmental Matrices
| Matrix Type | Typical Interferences Removed |
| Fruits & vegetables | Sugars, organic acids, pigments |
| Avocado & nuts | Fatty acids and oils |
| Edible oils | Lipids and oxidized fatty compounds |
| Tea & herbal extracts | Pigments, polyphenols, chlorophyll |
| Spices | Essential oils and natural pigments |
| Dairy products | Fatty acids and proteins |
| Meat & feed | Lipids and biological matrix interferences |
| Environmental extracts | Humic acids and organic contaminants |
Typical Applications
- QuEChERS pesticide residue cleanup for fruits, vegetables, cereals and processed foods
- LC-MS/MS food safety analysis requiring matrix effect reduction
- GC-MS pesticide screening with reduced instrument contamination
- Bioanalytical sample preparation for plasma, serum and urine cleanup
- Environmental extract cleanup for soil and water analysis
- Metal ion removal in analytical and industrial purification workflows
How PSA SPE Works in QuEChERS Cleanup
In QuEChERS workflows, PSA sorbent is typically added directly into acetonitrile extracts during dispersive SPE cleanup.
Under slightly acidic conditions, the amino groups become protonated and retain acidic matrix compounds such as fatty acids and organic acids through weak anion exchange interaction. At the same time, the polar amino surface adsorbs sugars and pigments, while the dual amino groups can chelate metal ions.
The resulting extract contains fewer matrix interferences and is better suited for sensitive LC-MS/MS or GC-MS pesticide analysis.
Standard QuEChERS Cleanup Workflow
- Extraction– extract sample using acetonitrile
- Salt partitioning– add QuEChERS extraction salts
- dSPE cleanup– add PSA sorbent alone or with C18/GCB
- Centrifugation– separate cleaned extract
- Instrument analysis– inject into LC-MS/MS or GC-MS system
Available Cartridge Formats
| Cat. No. | Description | Pack |
| 15011098 | PSA SPE, 100 mg / 1 mL | 100 pcs/pk |
| 15011099 | PSA SPE, 200 mg / 3 mL | 50 pcs/pk |
| 15011100 | PSA SPE, 500 mg / 3 mL | 50 pcs/pk |
| 15011101 | PSA SPE, 500 mg / 6 mL | 30 pcs/pk |
| 15011102 | PSA SPE, 1 g / 6 mL | 30 pcs/pk |
| 15011103 | PSA SPE, 1 g / 12 mL | 20 pcs/pk |
| 15011104 | PSA SPE, 2 g / 12 mL | 20 pcs/pk |
Compatible with QuEChERS dSPE tubes, standard SPE manifolds and automated SPE workstations.
Download PDF Datasheet
B2B & OEM Supply Advantages
- ISO 9001 controlled manufacturing
- Consistent ion exchange capacity and particle size distribution
- Direct replacement for major PSA SPE brands
- Suitable for OEM QuEChERS kit assembly
- Bulk PSA sorbent supply available
- Custom cartridge filling and private label packaging
- Batch-specific COA and lot traceability
- Fast shipment for standard formats
- Free evaluation samples for qualified laboratories
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between PSA and NH₂ SPE?
PSA contains two amino groups and provides higher ion exchange capacity than NH₂ SPE sorbents. PSA also offers improved fatty acid removal and metal ion chelation capability.
Why is PSA used in QuEChERS cleanup?
PSA efficiently removes fatty acids, sugars, pigments and organic acids from food extracts, reducing matrix effects in pesticide residue analysis.
Can PSA SPE cartridges be used for LC-MS/MS workflows?
Yes. PSA SPE cleanup is widely used before LC-MS/MS analysis to improve signal stability and reduce ion source contamination.
Does PSA remove pigments?
Yes. PSA removes many polar pigments and matrix interferences. For heavy chlorophyll removal, PSA is often combined with GCB sorbents.
Is PSA suitable for high-fat food matrices?
Yes. PSA effectively removes fatty acids and is frequently combined with C18 sorbents for enhanced lipid cleanup in fatty food extracts.
Do you provide OEM QuEChERS sorbent filling?
Yes. OEM cartridge filling, dSPE tube assembly and private label QuEChERS packaging are available.
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