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Methods in Enzymology, volume 265
X
trends in analytical chemistv, vol. 16, no. 3, 7 997
biosensors is contained within, and the reader does not have to search through other books to find the background information. However, the book contains sufficient detailed information and applications to make it appealing to anyone working in the area of biosensors, and provides valu-
Supercritical
able information cations.
on a range of appli-
TOM McCREEDY DI: T. McCreedy is at the School of Chemistry, University of Hull, Hull, UK.
fluid extraction
Supercritical Fluid Extraction, by Larry T Taylor, Wiley, Chichester, 1996, xiv + 181 pages, f40.00, ISBN: O-471- 11990-3. The wealth of literature on supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), in terms of scientific publications and particularly books, means that any new “article” must provide something unique. It is certainly true that this book has tried to be different from existing books on SFE. In this context, the book considers some of the main practical issues relating to the useage of SFE. Only after these practical guidelines have been given does it then attempt to give a flavour of the applications to which SFE has been applied. The author himself is a well respected figure in the world of SFE and has used his experience of teaching SFE to produce a user friendly text. After an historical introduction to the development and useage of supercritical fluids in an industrial context, the author then focuses on the use of supercritical fluids for analytical sample preparation. Any text seeking to demonstrate the uniqueness of supercritical fluids must consider their properties. This text is no different. While solubility is only one of a number of factors that influence the extraction process, the importance of an understanding of an analytes solubility in supercritical fluids and modififed supercritical fluids cannot be underestimated. Chapter 3 attempts to rationalise different approaches to determine the solubility of an analyte in a supercritical fluid. This chapter is then followed by the instrumentation required to carry out an SFE. Particular details are given relating to, for example, types of pumps used, the na-
ture of the extraction vessel and its pressure limitations, and the nature and types of restrictors used. A European reader of this chapter will note the lack of discussion of the JASCO back-pressure regulator of Japanese origin! Chapter 5 is devoted to methods of collection for off-line SFE (the most common approach for SFE). The various types of trap used are discussed, including the use of solid sorbents and liquid solvent trapping. Probably the most useful chapter focuses on extraction strategies. In this chapter (6) the author uses his own experience and that available from the
scientific literature to consider the most useful approaches to be followed to allow the development of a quantitative method for SFE. The final chapter gives a brief overview of the main application areas of analytical SFE, namely environmental, pharmaceutical, polymeric, natural product and food applications. The continued development of new, environmentally-friendly and automated methods of sample preparation in analytical chemistry means that SFE will continue to be developed. However, the arrival of alternative approaches, such as microwave-assisted extraction, accelerated solvent extraction and solid phase microextraction, together with existing techniques (solid phase extraction) means that SFE will face stiff competition in the market place. Texts such as this should promote the effectiveness of the SFE approach in the right hands. JOHN R. DEAN John R. Dean is at the University of Northumbria at Newcastle, Newcastle, UK.
Index Methods in Enzymology
Methods in Enzymology, volume 265, Cumulative Subject Index, Academic Press, San Diego, CA, 1996, xcviii + 678 pages, ISBN O-12182 166-8 This volume was compiled by the staff of Academic Press following a set of established guidelines, compiling entries from individual volume indexes to produce the cumulative index. The cumulative index covers volumes 228, 230-262 in the Methods in Enzymology series. There are three main content sections (i) an index of the article titles and authors for each volume, presented sequentially, (ii) an index of subject material followed by (iii) a useful contributor index enabling identification of topics to specific research groups. The index additionally includes a listing of all the volumes in this series. The indices in this volume are well organised and clearly presented,
making the volume a valuable asset to libraries which stock the volumes in Methods in Enzymology. MALCOLM NIMMO DE M. Nimmo is at the Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK.
Notice to Advertisers TrAC offers a unique opportunity to inform all those who use and develop analytical methods in research, industrial, government and clinical laboratories about new products and publications. TrAC has: worldwide circulation and special rates for series advertisement. For further information contact: Elsevier Science, Advertising Department, The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford, OX.5 lGB, UK, Tel.: (44) (0) 1865 843565, Fax: (44) (0) 1865 843976.
trends in analytical chemistv, vol. 16, no. 3, 7 997
biosensors is contained within, and the reader does not have to search through other books to find the background information. However, the book contains sufficient detailed information and applications to make it appealing to anyone working in the area of biosensors, and provides valu-
Supercritical
able information cations.
on a range of appli-
TOM McCREEDY DI: T. McCreedy is at the School of Chemistry, University of Hull, Hull, UK.
fluid extraction
Supercritical Fluid Extraction, by Larry T Taylor, Wiley, Chichester, 1996, xiv + 181 pages, f40.00, ISBN: O-471- 11990-3. The wealth of literature on supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), in terms of scientific publications and particularly books, means that any new “article” must provide something unique. It is certainly true that this book has tried to be different from existing books on SFE. In this context, the book considers some of the main practical issues relating to the useage of SFE. Only after these practical guidelines have been given does it then attempt to give a flavour of the applications to which SFE has been applied. The author himself is a well respected figure in the world of SFE and has used his experience of teaching SFE to produce a user friendly text. After an historical introduction to the development and useage of supercritical fluids in an industrial context, the author then focuses on the use of supercritical fluids for analytical sample preparation. Any text seeking to demonstrate the uniqueness of supercritical fluids must consider their properties. This text is no different. While solubility is only one of a number of factors that influence the extraction process, the importance of an understanding of an analytes solubility in supercritical fluids and modififed supercritical fluids cannot be underestimated. Chapter 3 attempts to rationalise different approaches to determine the solubility of an analyte in a supercritical fluid. This chapter is then followed by the instrumentation required to carry out an SFE. Particular details are given relating to, for example, types of pumps used, the na-
ture of the extraction vessel and its pressure limitations, and the nature and types of restrictors used. A European reader of this chapter will note the lack of discussion of the JASCO back-pressure regulator of Japanese origin! Chapter 5 is devoted to methods of collection for off-line SFE (the most common approach for SFE). The various types of trap used are discussed, including the use of solid sorbents and liquid solvent trapping. Probably the most useful chapter focuses on extraction strategies. In this chapter (6) the author uses his own experience and that available from the
scientific literature to consider the most useful approaches to be followed to allow the development of a quantitative method for SFE. The final chapter gives a brief overview of the main application areas of analytical SFE, namely environmental, pharmaceutical, polymeric, natural product and food applications. The continued development of new, environmentally-friendly and automated methods of sample preparation in analytical chemistry means that SFE will continue to be developed. However, the arrival of alternative approaches, such as microwave-assisted extraction, accelerated solvent extraction and solid phase microextraction, together with existing techniques (solid phase extraction) means that SFE will face stiff competition in the market place. Texts such as this should promote the effectiveness of the SFE approach in the right hands. JOHN R. DEAN John R. Dean is at the University of Northumbria at Newcastle, Newcastle, UK.
Index Methods in Enzymology
Methods in Enzymology, volume 265, Cumulative Subject Index, Academic Press, San Diego, CA, 1996, xcviii + 678 pages, ISBN O-12182 166-8 This volume was compiled by the staff of Academic Press following a set of established guidelines, compiling entries from individual volume indexes to produce the cumulative index. The cumulative index covers volumes 228, 230-262 in the Methods in Enzymology series. There are three main content sections (i) an index of the article titles and authors for each volume, presented sequentially, (ii) an index of subject material followed by (iii) a useful contributor index enabling identification of topics to specific research groups. The index additionally includes a listing of all the volumes in this series. The indices in this volume are well organised and clearly presented,
making the volume a valuable asset to libraries which stock the volumes in Methods in Enzymology. MALCOLM NIMMO DE M. Nimmo is at the Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK.
Notice to Advertisers TrAC offers a unique opportunity to inform all those who use and develop analytical methods in research, industrial, government and clinical laboratories about new products and publications. TrAC has: worldwide circulation and special rates for series advertisement. For further information contact: Elsevier Science, Advertising Department, The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford, OX.5 lGB, UK, Tel.: (44) (0) 1865 843565, Fax: (44) (0) 1865 843976.