An improved liquid phase microextraction (LPME) technique has been developed. As part of this technique, analytes were extracted into an extractant microdrop which was laid on the cone-shaped bottom of a PCR tube (polychloroprene rubber tube) but not at the needle tip of a microsyringe, and the sample vial and PCR tube were horizontally placed so that the extractant was not affected by the force of vertical orientation (gravity and floating force). The stability of the extractant microdrop increased greatly, and the selection of extractant was ...