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

Anal Bioanal Chem. 2011 May;400(3):847-58. doi: 10.1007/s00216-011-4787-8. Epub 2011 Mar 6.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bivalvia / chemistry*
  • Chromatography, Liquid / standards
  • Freeze Drying
  • Hot Temperature
  • Kainic Acid / analogs & derivatives
  • Kainic Acid / analysis
  • Marine Toxins / analysis*
  • Mass Spectrometry / standards*
  • Reference Standards

Substances

  • Marine Toxins
  • domoic acid
  • Kainic Acid