Final answer:
Combined adsorption-elution is performed to extract drugs and metabolites from biological samples. It involves the selective retention of target compounds followed by their release using an elution solvent.
Step-by-step explanation:
The combined adsorption-elution method is performed in order to extract drugs and metabolites from biological samples. This method is commonly used in pharmaceutical analysis and research because of its efficiency and versatility.
By combining adsorption and elution, target compounds can be effectively retained and then released from the sorbent material. The adsorption step allows for the selective retention of the compounds, while the elution step facilitates the recovery of the target compounds.
For example, in solid-phase extraction (SPE), a type of combined adsorption-elution method, the biological sample is passed through a solid sorbent material, where the target compounds are adsorbed. Then, an elution solvent is used to release the target compounds from the sorbent material, allowing for their subsequent analysis.