Determination of perfluorinated compounds in aquatic organisms: a review

Bioaccumulation of PFAS in aquatic organisms is an environmental problem of growing concern around the world. This problem has been tackled by regulatory bodies by proposing EQS for biota in EU water bodies and tolerable daily intake for food. The introduction of regulatory limits requires the availability of harmonised and validated analytical methods of sufficient sensitivity. This paper reviews recent advances in analytical methods for analysis of PFAS in aquatic organisms. The methods available for biota analysis are mostly based on three extraction procedures: ion-pair extraction, solvent liquid extraction, and alkaline digestion. The resulting extracts are then subjected to different clean-up or enrichment steps on solid adsorbents, for example graphitized carbon black, C₁₈, and WAX phases. All methods reviewed in this work give reliable results but are partially validated only, because of the lack of certified reference materials and regular interlaboratory exercises. The few interlaboratory exercises performed on real unspiked samples did not afford satisfactory results for PFAS other than PFOS, especially for matrices with high lipid content, for example mussels. The reasons for those partially negative results have been identified, and can mainly be attributed to calibration procedures and availability and purity of standards. The urgent need for certified reference materials for this type of analysis is emphasized.     

Optimization and Verification of Droplet Digital PCR Even-Specific Methods for the Quantification of GM Maize DAS1507 and NK603

In recent years, digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR), a new molecular biology technique, has been gaining in popularity. Among many other applications, this technique can also be used for the detection and quantification of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food and feed. It might replace the currently widely used real-time PCR method (qPCR), by overcoming problems related to the PCR inhibition and the requirement of certified reference materials to be used as a calibrant. In theory, validated qPCR methods can be easily transferred to the dPCR platform. However, optimization of the PCR conditions might be necessary. In this study, we report the transfer of two validated qPCR methods for quantification of maize DAS1507 and NK603 events to the droplet dPCR (ddPCR) platform. After some optimization, both methods have been verified according to the guidance of the European Network of GMO Laboratories (ENGL) on analytical method verification (ENGL working group on “Method Verification.” (2011) Verification of Analytical Methods for GMO Testing When Implementing Interlaboratory Validated Methods). Digital PCR methods performed equally or better than the qPCR methods. Optimized ddPCR methods confirm their suitability for GMO determination in food and feed.     

Summary of reference materials for the determination of the nutrient composition of foods

Certified reference materials (CRMs) play a critical role in validating the accuracy of nutrient data for food samples. A number of available food CRMs of differing matrix composition have assigned concentrations for various nutrients, along with associated uncertainty intervals (UIs) for those values. These CRMs have been used extensively in the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) ongoing National Food and Nutrient Analysis Program (NFNAP) to monitor the accuracy of assays of key foods and nutrients consumed in the United States. A total of 690 assigned values for individual nutrients, including proximates, vitamins, macroelements, microelements, fatty acids, amino acids, and selected phytochemicals (e.g., carotenoids), were compiled from the certificates of analysis for 63 CRMs, and the specified UI in each case was expressed as a percentage of the assigned certified or reference concentration. Across all nutrients, 63.5% of the UIs were less than 10% of the assigned value, 25.5% were 10–20%, and 11% were greater than 20% of the assigned value. The UIs for proximates, minerals, and trace elements were most consistently less than 10% of the assigned value. The relative uncertainties were significantly higher for vitamins, suggesting greater challenges in measuring and certifying these components. These high UIs (greater than 10% assigned value) in the best available reference materials are likely to be indicative of the precision and accuracy that can be obtained by current measurement systems for these components. These data suggest that care must be taken in choosing CRMs to monitor food composition analysis, including evaluating what levels of uncertainty are required in assigned values and which analytical measurement systems for food components need closer examination and improvement. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. Presented at ‘BERM-10’, April 2006, Charleston, SC, USA.     

Separation and speciation of selenium in food and water samples by the combination of magnesium hydroxide coprecipitation-graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometric determination

A simple and economic separation and speciation procedure for selenium in food and water samples have been presented prior to its graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). Magnesium hydroxide coprecipitation system for selenium(IV) was applied to the separation and speciation of selenium ions. The influences of the various analytical parameters for the quantitative recoveries of selenium ions like pH, amounts of magnesium ions as carrier elements, etc. on were examined. The effects of the alkaline and earth alkaline metals, some transition metals and some anions on the recoveries of selenium(IV) were also investigated. The recoveries of analytes were found greater than 95%. No appreciable matrix effects were observed. The detection limit, defined as three times the blank standard deviation (3σ), was 0.030 μg l⁻¹. The preconcentration factor for the presented system was 25. The proposed method was applied to the speciation of selenium(IV), selenium(VI) and determination of total selenium in natural waters and microwave digested various food samples with satisfactory results. The procedure was validated with certified reference materials. The relative errors and relative standard deviations were below 6% and 10%, respectively.     

Natural toxins: risks,regulations and the analytical situation in Europe

Natural toxins in food and feed are considered important food safety issues of growing concern, in particular mycotoxins, phycotoxins and plant toxins. Most scientific developments have occurred in the past few decades in the area of mycotoxins. Formal health risk assessments have been carried out by the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives of the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization. Limits and regulations for mycotoxins in food and feed have been established in many countries, including practically all European countries. An array of (formally validated) analytical methods and (certified) reference materials have become available. Several European research projects, funded by the European Commission and supported by the European Standardization Committee, have significantly contributed to this development. Quantitative methods of analysis for mycotoxins often make use of immunoaffinity cleanup with liquid chromatographic or gas chromatographic separation techniques in combination with various types of detectors, including mass spectroscopy. For screening purposes (bio)sensor-based techniques are among the promising newcomers. For the phycotoxins the situation is less advanced. Formal risk assessments by authoritative international bodies have not been carried out. Methods of analysis, formally validated according to internationally harmonized protocols, are scarce and animal testing still plays a key role in official methodology. The development of the analytical methodology is partly hampered by the limited availability of certain reliable calibrants and reference materials, although this situation is gradually improving. New regulations in the European Union have increased the pressure to develop and validate chemical methods of analysis. Joint efforts in the European context are now directed towards significantly improving this situation, and techniques such as liquid chromatography–mass spectroscopy offer promise in this respect. Both the working group on biotoxins of the European Standardization Committee and the network of National Reference Laboratories for Marine Biotoxins have taken up responsibilities here. The plant toxins are a category of natural toxins, where the situation is the least developed with respect to regulations, validated methods of analysis and reference materials. Yet, their occurrence in a wide range of consumable plant species demands the attention of the analytical community.     

Recently developed NIST food related standard reference materials

Summary NIST issues food related, chemical composition standard reference materials for validating food analyses. SRMs certified for inorganic constituents are: Non-Fat Milk Powder (SRM 1549), Oyster Tissue (SRM 1566a), Bovine Liver (SRM 1577a), Wheat Flour (SRM 1567a), Rice Flour (SRM 1568a), and Total Diet (SRM 1548). The certificate of analysis for the total diet SRM also provides a certified concentration for cholesterol. Oyster tissue, a renewal SRM, is certified for 25 elements including 6 (Al, Cl, I, P, S, and V), that had not been certified in the previously issued SRM 1566. The elemental certified concentrations are based on concordant results of two or more independent analytical methods. The chemical compositions of the six food matrix SRMs are tabulated. Three food matrix SRMs certified for organic constituents are: Cholesterol and Fat-Soluble Vitamins in Coconut Oil (SRM 1563), Cholesterol in Whole Egg Powder (SRM 1845) and Organics in Cod Liver Oil (SRM 1588). Serum and urine matrix SRMs are also available that may be useful for metabolic and bioavailability studies.     

A High Throughput Screening HPLC-FLD Method for Paralytic Shellfish Toxins (PSTs) Enabling Effective Official Control

Paralytic Shellfish Toxins (PSTs) are marine biotoxins, primarily produced by dinoflagellates of the genera Gymnodinium spp., Alexandrium spp. They can accumulate in shellfish and, through the food chain, be assimilated by humans, giving rise to Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning. The maximum permitted level for PSTs in bivalves is 800 μg STX·2HCl eqv/kg (Reg. EC N° 853/2004). Until recently, the reference analytical method was the Mouse Bioassay, but Reg. EU N° 1709/2021 entered into force on 13 October 2021 and identified in the Standard EN14526:2017 or in any other internationally recognized validated method not entailing the use of live animals as official methods. Then the official control laboratories had urgently to fulfill the new requests, face out the Mouse Bioassay and implement instrumental analytical methods. The “EURLMB SOP for the analysis of PSTs by pre-column HPLC-FLD according to OMA AOAC 2005.06” also introduced a simplified semiquantitative approach to discriminate samples above and below the regulatory limit. The aim of the present paper is to present a new presence/absence test with a cut-off at 600 μg STX·2HCl eqv/kg enabling the fast discrimination of samples with very low PSTs levels from those to be submitted to the full quantitative confirmatory EN14526:2017 method. The method was implemented, avoiding the use of a large number of certified reference standards and long quantification procedures, resulting in an efficient, economical screening instrument available for official control laboratories. The protocol was fully validated, obtaining good performances in terms of repeatability (<11%) and recovery (53–106%) and accredited according to ISO/IEC 17025. The method was applied to mollusks collected from March 2021 to February 2022 along the Marche region in the frame of marine toxins official control.     

Current best practice for traceability in testing laboratories,when certified reference materials are unavailable

Since the implementation of ISO/IEC 17025 in 2002, all accredited laboratories (at the least) need to establish traceability in all their tests and calibration methods. Traceabilty, though well understood in the calibration field (through an unbroken chain of comparisons to the International System of Units —SI), is less straight forward and not so well understood in the testing laboratories. Traceability in analytical and biological testing is found through the use of reference materials, and the validated steps of a test method. This article describes the possibilities to comply with the traceability requirement of ISO/IEC 17025 in testing laboratories , when certified reference materials are unavailable.Presented at the Second International Conference on Metrology—Trends and Applications in Calibration and Testing Laboratories, 4–6 November, 2003, Eilat, Israel     

Characterization of simulated vitrified highly active waste and its leachates by neutron activation

Neutron activation analysis (NAA) methods have been developed for the simultaneous determinations of multielement concentrations in various types of glass and their leachates. The epithermal instrumental NAA (EINAA) method involves the irradiation of samples in a Cd-shielded site for 2–5 min in order to determine levels of of up to 13 elements through their short-lived nuclides. Another 15 elements can be measured via their long-lived nuclides using conventional instrumental NAA (INAA). Accuracy of the methods have been evaluated by analyzing certified reference materials. The limits of detection for all elements are reported. The methods have been applied to sodium borosilicate and sodium calcium aluminosilicate glass samples in order evaluate their suitability as a host matrix for immobilizing high level radioactive waste.     

Analytical procedures for the simultaneous voltammetric determination of heavy metals in meals

An analytical procedure regarding the determination of copper(II), lead(II), cadmium(II), zinc(II) and antimony(III) in matrices involved in foods and food chain as wholemeal, wheat and maize meal is proposed. The digestion of each matrix was carried out using concentrated HCl suprapure at 130 °C for 3 h. Differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) was employed for simultaneously determining all the elements, using a conventional three-electrode cell and 0.5 M HCl as supporting electrolyte. The analytical procedure has been verified on the reference standard materials Wholemeal BCR-CRM 189, Wheat Flour NIST-SRM 1567a and Rice Flour NIST-SRM 1568a. For all the elements in the certified matrix, the precision as repeatability, expressed as relative standard deviation (s_r), and the accuracy, expressed as relative error (e), were of the order of 3 to 6%. The limits of detection were in the range 0.009–0.096 μg/g.     

Reliability of food measurements – a South African perspective

 High quality analysis of food involves a comprehensive process, which includes proper sampling, validated methodology, experienced technical staff and the use of standard reference materials. Today there is more international emphasis not only on generating food composition data but also on data quality and the main issue is that South African data should be internationally recognized as acceptable and representative. Quality is multi-dimensional and should at least include aspects of accuracy, precision and representativeness. A major step forward is that laboratories can apply for accreditation, which involves, inter alia, documented, validated methodology, regular interlaboratory studies, the use of certified reference materials and the existence of a sound quality system. The South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) is a regulatory body in South Africa, which is internationally recognized. Assessment of laboratories against specific standards is performed regularly and laboratories have to comply with certain managerial and technical requirements. Once a laboratory is accredited, ongoing validation and verification of results as well as regular assessment ensure reliability of results and overall competency of the laboratory. With a quality assurance programme in place, the reliability of results of the Irene laboratory is beyond doubt and nutrient data could be included in food composition tables. Received: 31 January 2002 Accepted: 4 February 2002 Correspondence to Louwrens Erasmus Smit     

Determination of ochratoxin A in wine by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry after combined anion-exchange/reversed-phase clean-up

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin produced by Aspergillus ochraceus and Penicillium verrucosum. It has been found and analysed in several foods and feeds. Owing to its toxicity and occurrence in food and feed, the European Community has issued directives and some countries have their own regulations for OTA contents in food, feed and beverages. This work describes a method for the determination of OTA in mulled and red wine. It is based on combined anion exchange/reversed-phase clean-up and was analysed by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (multiple reaction monitoring). The method was validated with natural contaminated and spiked wine samples with OTA contents from 1.34 to 3.48 g kg^–1. Owing to its accuracy, good reproducibility and repeatability, this easy method is a good alternative to liquid chromatography–fluorescence detection methods.     

Validation of a Simple HPLC-Based Method for Lysine Quantification for Ruminant Nutrition

Robust and selective quantification methods are required to better analyze feed supplementation effectiveness with specific amino acids. In this work, a reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography method with fluorescence detection is proposed and validated for lysine quantification, one of the most limiting amino acids in ruminant nutrition and essential towards milk production. To assess and widen method applicability, different matrices were considered: namely Li₂CO₃ buffer (the chosen standard reaction buffer), phosphate buffer solution (to mimic media in cellular studies), and rumen inoculum. The method was validated for all three matrices and found to be selective, accurate (92% ± 2%), and precise at both the inter- and intra-day levels in concentrations up to 225 µM, with detection and quantification limits lower than 1.24 and 4.14 µM, respectively. Sample stability was evaluated when stored at room temperature, 4 °C, and −20 °C, showing consistency for up to 48 h regardless of the matrix. Finally, the developed method was applied in the quantification of lysine on real samples. The results presented indicate that the proposed method can be applied towards free lysine quantification in ruminant feeding studies and potentially be of great benefit to dairy cow nutrition supplementation and optimization.     

Detection of boldenone,its conjugates and androstadienedione,as well as five corticosteroids in bovine bile through a unique immunoaffinity column clean-up and two validated liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry analyses

The presence of β-boldenone II phase metabolites and prednisolone in urine samples, owing to endogenous or natural origin or illicit treatment, is under debate within the European Union. The detection of β-boldenone conjugates, α-boldenone conjugates at concentrations higher than 2 ng mL⁻¹ and prednisolone above the cut-off level of 5 ng mL⁻¹ in urine have been, until now, critical in deciding if illegal drug use has occurred. The use of urine sometimes is not entirely satisfactory, especially when the drug is administrated at low doses or when its metabolic conversion is very fast. This subsequently would hamper its detection in urine. The introduction of a new, advantageous matrix where the illicit treatment can be investigated would be highly appreciated. In this study, we have developed and validated a simple and unique immunoaffinity clean-up procedure, which was applied to bovine bile samples, followed by two different analytical liquid chromatography-electrospray-tandem mass spectrometry methods. The first method tests androstadienedione, α- and β-boldenone sulphate, glucuronate and related free forms, while the other method assays prednisolone, prednisone, dexamethasone, cortisone, and cortisol. The methods were validated according to European Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. The evaluated parameters were linearity, specificity, precision (repeatability and intra-laboratory reproducibility), recovery, decision limit and detection capability. The decision limits (CCα) were between 0.38 and 0.45 ng mL⁻¹ for anabolic steroids, and 0.13 and 0.15 ng mL⁻¹ as far as corticosteroids were concerned. Intra- and inter-day repeatability was below 15.8 and 19.9% for all analytes, respectively. The methods were applied to the analysis of some bile samples collected from untreated young bulls in order to investigate the presence of the studied steroids in this matrix.     

Quality assurance and statistical control

In scientific research laboratories it is rarely possible to use quality assurance schemes, developed for large-scale analysis. Instead methods have been developed to control the quality of modest numbers of analytical results by relying on statistical control: Analysis of precision serves to detect analytical errors by comparing thea priori precision of the analytical results with the actual variability observed among replicates or duplicates. The method relies on the chi-square distribution to detect excess variability and is quite sensitive even for 5–10 results. Interference control serves to detect analytical bias by comparing results obtained by two different analytical methods, each relying on a different detection principle and therefore exhibiting different influence from matrix elements; only 5–10 sets of results are required to establish whether a regression line passes through the origo. Calibration control is an essential link in the traceability of results. Only one or two samples of pure solid or aqueous standards with accurately known content need to be analyzed. Verification is carried out by analyzing certified reference materials from BCR, NIST, or others; their limited accuracy of 5–10% make them less suitable for calibration purposes.     

Sequential voltammetric determination of trace metals in meals

An analytical procedure for the sequential determination of Zn(II), Cr(VI), Cu(II), Sb(III), Sn(II), Pb(II) by square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV) and Fe(III), Mn(II), Mo(VI) by square wave voltammetry (SWV) in matrices involved in foods and food chain as wholemeal, wheat and maize meal is described.The digestion of each matrix was carried out using a concentrated HCl–HNO₃–H₂SO₄ attack mixture, employing dibasic ammonium citrate buffer solution (pH 6.9 and 8.7) as supporting electrolytes. The analytical procedure was verified by the analysis of the standard reference materials Wholemeal BCR-CRM 189, Wheat Flour NIST-SRM 1567a and Rice Flour NIST-SRM 1568a.For all the elements in the certified matrix, the precision as repeatability, expressed as relative standard deviation (s_r) was of the order of 3–5%; the accuracy, expressed as relative error (e) was generally of the order of 3–6%.In presence of reciprocal interference, the standard addition method considerably improved the resolution of the voltammetric technique.Finally, the analytical procedure was transferred and applied to commercial meals sampled on market.A critical comparison with atomic absorption spectroscopic measurements is also discussed.     

Simultaneous determination of PCDDs, PCDFs, PCBs and PBDEs in food

Established and comprehensively validated methodology for the analysis of PCDDs, PCDFs and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in food, animal feed and other matrices is presented. The method achieves the analytical standards of EU protocols (2002/69/EC and 2002/70/EC) that are used to determine the compliance of food and animal feed to maximum permissible levels of chlorinated dioxins in these commodities. The methodology provides WHO–TEQ data for dioxins and PCBs as well as individual concentrations for toxic PCDD/F congeners and >50 commonly occurring PCBs. In addition, the methodology allows the simultaneous determination of individual polybrominated diphenylether (PBDE) congeners. A wide range of ¹³Carbon-labelled surrogates allow accurate internal standardisation, and measurements are carried out using high resolution GC coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry except for mono-, tetra, ortho-substituted PCBs where unit resolution mass spectrometry can be used instead. Evidence of internal as well as external validation through the frequent use of reference materials, and successful participation in international inter-comparison exercises over many years is presented. A large number of different food types have been analysed for dioxins and PCBs using this methodology over several years and typical congener profiles for various food matrices are discussed.     

Isocratic Separation of Some Food Additives by Reversed Phase Liquid Chromatography

In recent years, concern about food safety has been growing. The use of food additives in different countries is limited by specific regulations. Therefore, analytical methods that simultaneously determine artificial sweeteners and preservatives are advantageous. High performance liquid chromatography has been the most popular choice for the determination of food additives. In this study, reversed-phase liquid chromatography was developed for the separation of α-aspartame, sodium saccharin, acesulfame-K, vanillin, sorbic acid and benzoic acid. The effects of the proportion of the organic modifier on the chromatographic separation were investigated in order to separate these additives. The results showed that optimum chromatographic separation for these compounds takes place when the acetonitrile content in the mobile phase was 15% containing ammonium acetate buffer (0.005 M). It was concluded that the best separation was obtained with YMC-ODS pack column by using this mobile phase at pH 4.0. All additives were separated within 40 min. The RP-HPLC-UV method was validated in terms of LOD/LOQ, linearity, recovery and repeatability. This method was used for the determination of α-aspartame, acesulfame-K and benzoic acid in cola and instant powder drinks.     

Separation and preconcentration of cadmium ions in natural water using a liquid membrane system with 2-acetylpyridine benzoylhydrazone as carrier by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

A method for the determination of Cd in natural water by flame atomic absorption spectrometry after separation and preconcentration with a bulk liquid membrane containing 2-acetylpyridine benzoylhydrazone as mobile carrier dissolved in toluene has been developed. Effects of carrier concentration, volume of organic phase and pH of feed and receiving solutions on the flux for Cd across the membrane have been studied, being optimized by the modified simplex method. Optimum values for these variables were: carrier concentration of 0.84 g l⁻¹, 74 ml of toluene, pH 7.8 in the feed solution and 0.06 mol l⁻¹ of HNO₃ in the receiving solution, allowing a preconcentration factor of 17.9. The preconcentration step required 7 h to be accomplished. The recovery of Cd at optimum conditions was 101.0±2.7%, even with saline matrix, with good relative standard deviation (2.5%) at 95% confidence level. The detection limit of blank sample was 6 ng l⁻¹ of Cd. The method was validated using a certified reference material (TMDA-62) and also applied successfully to the analysis of Cd in four samples of seawater collected from the coast of Huelva (Spain). The relative errors of determinations were −7.6% for certified reference material and ranging between +2.4 and +7.1%, for samples of seawater (obtained between the results of the proposed and differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry methods).     

Methyl mercury determination in environmental and biological reference and other materials by quality control with certified reference materials (CRMs)

Summary Two concentration methods — HCl extraction and extraction followed by water vapour distillation — prior to anion exchange separation and cold-vapour atomic absorption spectrometry were used for the quantification of methyl mercury in a number of reference materials of biological and environmental origin with reference or certified total mercury contents. The applied methods were validated by the analysis of three marine reference materials, certified for methyl mercury. The results obtained in the materials with methyl mercury contents ranging from less than 1 g/kg to a few hundred g/kg showed good agreement between both methods for biological materials, whereas extraction/anion exchange resulted in somewhat too high values for a number of environmental materials. These findings, however, require further confirmation by additional methods and by other laboratories.Dedicated to Professor Dr. Wilhelm Fresenius on the occasion of his 80th birthday