Supelco 57318 / 57319 CAR/PDMS 75 µm Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME) Fiber Assembly

Overview

The Supelco 57318 (manual) and 57319 (autosampler-compatible) CAR/PDMS 75 µm Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME) fiber assemblies are precision-engineered consumables for quantitative and qualitative analysis of volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds in gas-phase and low-molecular-weight liquid matrices. Based on the principle of equilibrium-based partitioning, these fibers utilize a dual-layer coating comprising porous Carboxen™ carbon molecular sieve particles embedded in a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) polymer matrix. This hybrid architecture delivers high surface area, strong adsorption affinity for small nonpolar and weakly polar molecules (e.g., BTEX, chlorinated hydrocarbons, aldehydes, ketones, and light alcohols), and excellent thermal stability up to 250 °C. The 75 µm fiber diameter balances extraction efficiency, mechanical robustness, and compatibility with standard GC inlet liners (e.g., Agilent 1310-1434, Thermo Scientific 201-1311). Both variants meet the dimensional and performance specifications required for trace-level analysis under regulated environmental, forensic, food safety, and clinical toxicology workflows.

Key Features

• Dual-mode compatibility: 57318 designed for manual SPME using Supelco 57330-U handle; 57319 engineered with reinforced stainless-steel shaft and standardized geometry for integration into autosamplers (e.g., Gerstel MPS, CTC CombiPAL, Thermo TriPlus RSH)
• Carboxen/PDMS 75 µm coating: Optimized for analytes with molecular weights between 30 and 225 Da — including VOCs, SVOCs, residual solvents, and off-flavor compounds
• Consistent batch-to-batch reproducibility: Each fiber lot undergoes GC-FID and GC-MS verification against certified reference standards per Supelco Quality Control Protocol QCP-SPME-02
• Thermally stable design: Withstands repeated desorption at 250 °C without coating degradation or bleed; validated for ≥100 extractions under routine laboratory conditions
• Low blank profile: Pre-conditioned and tested for residual siloxanes and hydrocarbons; meets EPA Method 8260C background requirements (<0.5 pg benzene equivalent)
• Traceable manufacturing: Full lot traceability, CoA documentation, and compliance with ISO 9001:2015 and ISO/IEC 17025:2017 calibration management systems

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

These SPME fibers are validated for direct immersion (DI-SPME) and headspace (HS-SPME) sampling across aqueous, gaseous, and solid-phase matrices — including drinking water, wastewater, soil headspace, breath condensate, packaging headspace, and polymer leachates. They support method development aligned with U.S. EPA Methods 8260C (VOCs), 8270E (SVOCs), ASTM D7823-19 (residual solvents in pharmaceuticals), and ISO 16000-6 (indoor air VOC monitoring). When used with validated SPME-GC/MS workflows, data generated meets FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for electronic records and signatures when paired with audit-trail-enabled chromatography data systems (CDS) such as Thermo Chromeleon, Agilent OpenLab CDS, or Waters Empower.

Software & Data Management

While the fiber itself is a passive consumable, its performance is fully integrated into modern SPME workflow automation. Autosampler-compatible 57319 fibers enable unattended, time-resolved extraction sequences programmable via instrument control software. Extraction time, agitation speed (when used with PC-420D magnetic stirrer), temperature ramping, and desorption parameters are logged automatically and linked to raw data files. All Supelco SPME accessories — including 57330-U handles, 57333-U/57357-U sample trays, and Z118877 stir bars — are referenced in LIMS-compatible inventory modules. Batch-specific QC reports and shelf-life tracking (24 months from date of manufacture when stored at 4 °C under inert atmosphere) are accessible via Supelco’s online product portal using the printed lot number on each vial.

Applications

• Environmental analysis: Quantification of BTEX, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, and vinyl chloride in groundwater per EPA 8260C
• Food and flavor science: Profiling of esters, aldehydes, and terpenes in beverages, dairy products, and roasted coffee using HS-SPME-GC-MS
• Pharmaceutical quality control: Residual solvent testing (ICH Q3C Class 2) in active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and excipients
• Forensic toxicology: Detection of ethanol, acetone, and isopropanol in postmortem blood headspace
• Polymer and packaging migration studies: Screening for acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, and styrene monomer release from PET and PS containers
• Clinical diagnostics: Monitoring volatile biomarkers (e.g., isoprene, pentane, alkanes) in exhaled breath condensate

FAQ

What is the maximum recommended desorption temperature for this fiber?
The CAR/PDMS 75 µm fiber is rated for continuous desorption at ≤250 °C. Prolonged exposure above this temperature may cause irreversible coating degradation and increased system bleed.
Can I use the 57318 manual fiber with an autosampler?
No — the 57318 lacks the mechanical reinforcement and dimensional tolerances required for robotic arm engagement. Only 57319 is certified for autosampler deployment.
How many extractions can one fiber perform before replacement?
Under optimized conditions (proper conditioning, controlled desorption, no physical abrasion), typical lifetime exceeds 100 extractions. Performance decline is indicated by reduced peak area reproducibility (>15% RSD over 5 injections) or elevated baseline noise.
Is this fiber compatible with HPLC injection?
No — CAR/PDMS 75 µm fibers are designed exclusively for thermal desorption in GC inlets. For HPLC coupling, use dedicated SPME-HPLC interfaces with 60 µm PDMS/DVB or 85 µm PA fibers.
Does Supelco provide method validation support for this fiber?
Yes — application notes AN-192 (EPA 8260C), AN-205 (food flavor profiling), and AN-218 (pharmaceutical residual solvents) include full SOPs, calibration curves, LOD/LOQ data, and ruggedness testing results.