A mussel tissue certified reference material for multiple phycotoxins. Part 3: homogeneity and stability

• Published in: Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry 2011-05, Vol.400 (3), p.847-858
• Main Authors: McCarron, Pearse, Emteborg, Håkan, Giddings, Sabrina D., Wright, Elliott, Quilliam, Michael A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis; Analytical Chemistry; Animals; Biochemistry; Bivalvia - chemistry; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Chromatography, Liquid - standards; Customer relationship management software; Exact sciences and technology; Food Science; Freeze Drying; Homogeneity; Hot Temperature; Kainic Acid - analogs & derivatives; Kainic Acid - analysis; Laboratory Medicine; Marine; Marine toxins; Marine Toxins - analysis; Mass Spectrometry - standards; Monitoring/Environmental Analysis; Mussels; Mytilus edulis; Original Paper; Raw materials; Reference materials; Reference Standards; Shellfish; Stability; Toxins
• ISSN: 1618-2642; 1618-2650
• DOI: 10.1007/s00216-011-4787-8

A candidate certified reference material (CRM) for multiple shellfish toxins (domoic acid, okadaic acid and dinophysistoxins, pectenotoxins, yessotoxin, azaspiracids and spirolides) has been prepared as a freeze-dried powder from mussel tissues ( Mytilus edulis ). Along with the certified values, the most important characteristics for a reference material to be fit-for-purpose are homogeneity and stability. Acceptable between-bottle homogeneity was found for this CRM. Within-bottle homogeneity was assessed using domoic acid, and it was shown that repeated subsampling of the CRM can be performed precisely down to 0.35 g. Both short- and long-term stability studies carried out under isochronous conditions demonstrated excellent stability of the various toxins present in the material. While degradation of some analytes was observed at +60°C in short-term studies, it was determined that shipping at ambient temperature is adequate. No instability was detected in long-term stability studies, and it was shown that the material can be held at +18°C safely for up to 1 year. To guarantee stability of the CRM over its lifetime the stock will be maintained at −20°C. The results of the homogeneity and stability testing show that CRM–FDMT1 is appropriate for its intended use in quality assurance and quality control of shellfish toxin analysis methods. Figure Short-term stability of AZA3 in CRM–FDMT1