Biotage Horizon 5000 Automated Extraction System

Importance of the Topic

Solid phase extraction (SPE) has become a core technique in environmental and trace analysis due to its ability to replace traditional liquid-liquid extraction with more efficient, safer, and environmentally friendly workflows. Automated SPE platforms, such as the Biotage Horizon 5000, address key challenges in water analysis by offering reproducible, high-throughput sample preparation for a wide range of analytes including semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs), pesticides, dioxins, and emerging pollutants like 1,4-dioxane and BPA.

Objectives and Overview of the Study

This application note presents the capabilities and performance of the Biotage Horizon 5000 Automated Extraction System in routine solid phase extraction of drinking water, surface water, wastewater, and whole water samples. The goals are to demonstrate solvent savings, waste reduction, safety improvements, and regulatory compliance, as well as to validate recoveries for representative SVOCs and pesticide compounds under US EPA, ISO and European EN methods.

Methodology and Instrumentation

• The Biotage Horizon 5000 system features programmable modules that directly process aqueous samples in original bottles, rinsing containers to maximize analyte recovery.
• Sample volumes from 40 to 2000 mL can be handled, with solvent delivery for conditioning, washing and elution via up to seven channels.
• Atlantic C18 SPE disks are used to adsorb target analytes, followed by controlled air-drying and elution into collection vessels.
• Optional in-line DryVap units enable automated disk drying and concentration, complemented by the Biotage SolventRecovery SVOC for solvent recycling.
• Software control allows barcode sample identification, method customization, vacuum adjustment, password protection, and LIMS-compatible reporting.

Main Results and Discussion

Reproducibility and quantitative performance were evaluated for semivolatile compounds in drinking water and pesticides in wastewater. Recoveries for six replicate spikes of SVOCs ranged from 90.9% to 111% with relative standard deviations below 5%. Pesticide analytes in duplicate wastewater samples yielded recoveries between 89.5% and 99.7% with RSDs under 2.2%. These data confirm the system’s reliability and compliance with regulatory acceptance criteria for automated SPE.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Reduced solvent consumption and waste generation, lowering operational costs and environmental impact.
• Improved operator safety by minimizing direct contact with solvents and eliminating emulsions.
• Enhanced throughput with up to four modules per workstation, enabling 1–12 parallel extractions.
• Flexible sample and solvent handling accommodates diverse environmental assays, from potable water monitoring to wastewater surveillance.
• Integrated particulate handling using the Fast Flow disk holder prevents clogging and supports complex matrices without manual intervention.

Future Trends and Opportunities

Automated SPE platforms are poised to expand into novel applications such as high-throughput screening of emerging contaminants, integration with mass spectrometry, and real-time data analytics. Advances in greener sorbents and solvents, combined with machine-learning algorithms for method optimization, will further enhance method robustness and sustainability in environmental and industrial laboratories.

Conclusion

The Biotage Horizon 5000 Automated Extraction System delivers a mature, versatile SPE solution compliant with global regulatory standards for water analysis. Its automation, solvent economy, and robust recoveries provide laboratories with a reliable platform for routine and complex sample preparation tasks, driving efficiency and data quality across environmental monitoring and quality assurance workflows.

References

• Application Note AN114-HOR. Extraction of Semivolatile Compounds from Drinking Water Using Automated SPE and Atlantic C18 Disks, Biotage.
• Application Note AN115-HOR. Analysis of Pesticides in Wastewater Samples Using SPE and GC-ECD, Biotage.
• Biotage Horizon 5000 Automated Extraction System Brochure, Literature Number PPS542, Biotage, 2019.