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Method performance verification for the analysis of minor clam species for paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins by liquid chromatography and fluorescence detection (official method AOAC 2005.06)

Project Code: FS235002B;
Publication:

See also: http://www.foodbase.org.uk/results.php?f_category_id=&f_report_id=612 (previous method validation reports)
http://cot.food.gov.uk/pdfs/cotdraftmins28jun2011.pdf (Minutes of COT review)

02/09/2011

Initial investigations in surf clams highlighted issues with the conversion of some PSP toxins to their decarbamoyl counterparts. Following a period of investigation, the decision was taken to limit the method verification exercises to only the decarbamoyl toxins in this species. For the other three clam species no such issues were encountered and the full spectrum of PSP toxins were studied.

Verification results showed that the analysis of PSTs in all four species was selective enough to detect and quantify the presence of each toxin peak. The sensitivity of the method was satisfactory, with method limits of detection and quantitation similar to those described in other species. Toxin recoveries determined at two concentration levels were within specified limits and were similar to those described previously for other bivalve species. The precision and repeatability of method for each clam species was also shown to be acceptable, with values below specified limits. Method performance results obtained throughout the study were used to calculate levels of Measurement Uncertainty (MU) for the analysis of PSTs in each of the four clam species, with results being similar to those reported previously for other bivalve species.

Overall, the results presented have shown the applicability of the method for the qualitative and quantitative determination of the PSP toxins in each of the four clam species. Results fall within specified performance limits and the overall size of the measurement uncertainty is similar to the values determined for other species previously validated. Consequently, the recommendation is to implement the method into the UK official control monitoring programme for the analysis of PSP toxins in the four clam species.

Final Report

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