What is sample preparation?

Sample preparation is the process of treating and handling samples before they are analyzed in a laboratory setting. This step is crucial because it ensures that the sample is suitable for analysis, removing contaminants or interfering substances and sometimes concentrating the analyte of interest. Proper sample preparation helps achieve accurate and reliable results in various fields such as chemistry, biology, and environmental science. Techniques can include filtration, extraction, dilution, and homogenization, depending on the type of analysis required.