ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on sample digestion techniques for pharmaceutical-type matrices. Sample dissolution using acid digestion techniques can add a significant amount of time to the overall analytical procedure. However, if the sample is a solid or powdered material, the chances are that it will have to be brought into solution via either a hot-plate dissolution technique using concentrated mineral acids, or a closed-vessel microwave digestion procedure. There are a number of different microwave digestion technologies on the market, including batch and single-reaction chamber systems, which can be run in either a sequential or a simultaneous manner. The choice of acids used for the preparation of digested samples is also important. Typically, concentrated nitric and/or hydrochloric acids are used in various concentrations, depending on the sample type. The selection of the appropriate sample preparation procedure is dependent on the material being analyzed and is the responsibility of the analyst.
