Interlaboratory comparison on aflatoxins in solution

The aim of this study is to provide national reference laboratories (NRLs) with the possibility to assess their instrument calibration for the analysis of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2 in acetonitrile.

Participation is restricted to national reference laboratories for mycotoxins.

Test materials and analytes

Participants will receive a set of standard solutions of aflatoxin B1, B2, G1 and G2 in actonitrile; each standard solution contains only one of the aflatoxins. Two ampoules per standard will be supplied, in total 8 ampoules (4 x 2) as specified on the label. The individual aflatoxins are at a concentration level ranging between 1 to 10 μg/mL. Each ampoule contains approximately 4 mL of solution.

The target analytes are:

General outline of the exercise

The participants are requested to perform triplicate analyses on each of the ampoules applying an HPLC method of their own choice. The analysis of the two ampoules per individual aflatoxin shall be performed on two different days as illustrated in the following tables:

The national reference laboratories are kindly requested to fill in a method questionnaire and report back the results of the analyses using the reporting grid at

http://www.irmm.jrc.be/imepapp/registerForComparison.action?comparison=80

This web based interface will be open by 24 November 2006.

Please send also a signed hard-copy of the reporting grid, together with representative chromatograms by regular mail to:

Ivanka Doncheva-Tsaneva

European Commission

Directorate-General Joint Research Centre

Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements

Retieseweg 111

B-2440 Geel, Belgium

Deadline for reporting is Friday, 8 December 2006.