Extractor for chemical analysis of lipid biomarkers

A single instrument integrated non-aqueous fluidic system for extracting, filtering and concentrating lipid biomarkers from planetary samples, wherein the single instrument integrated non-aqueous fluidic system comprises:

• a sample input unit for receiving a sample;
• a solvent vessel configured to store one or more organic solvents;
• a combined comminution-extraction unit including:
• a container connected to the sample input unit, the sample input unit configured to introduce the sample into the container, wherein the sample is introduced through the sample input unit,
• a solvent port disposed between the container and the solvent vessel wherein the solvent port is configured to introduce one or more organic solvents into the container from the solvent vessel for mixing with the sample, wherein the one or more organic solvents are introduced through the solvent port and whereby lipids can be extracted into an organic phase through the mixing of the one or more organic solvents with the sample,
• a comminutor configured to rotate in the container whereby at least 50% of the sample can be pulverized into a reduced particle size, and
• a sonicator configured to agitate the sample in the container whereby the sample in the container can be dispersed into the one or more organic solvents in the container and a solvent-sample slurry comprising a solvent phase can form in the container,
• wherein the sample input unit is vertically disposed above the container and wherein the solvent vessel is vertically disposed above the container;
• a filtration system in fluid communication with the container, wherein the filtration system comprises one or more filters operable to pass the solvent phase;
• and
• a concentrator in fluid communication with the filtration system, wherein the concentrator comprises an analysis assembly and is operable to receive the solvent phase from the one or more filters and to concentrate lipid extracts for analysis.