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Fapas® – Food Chemistry Proficiency Test Report 22157
Deoxynivalenol and Zearalenone in Breakfast Cereal
January-February 2019
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PARTICIPANT LABORATORY NUMBER
Participants can log in to Fapas® SecureWeb at any time to obtain their laboratory number for this proficiency test. Laboratory numbers are displayed in SecureWeb next to the download link for this report.
REPORT INTEGRITY
Fapas® reports are distributed as digitally signed Adobe® PDF files. When these files are opened with Adobe® Reader v9 or later, a blue ribbon and information bar indicates that the certificate has been validated. This confirms that the author of the report is Fapas® and that the document has not been altered since it was signed [1, 2]. The integrity of hard copies of Fapas® reports cannot be assured in this way, i.e. printed copies are not controlled. A watermark stating this appears on every page when a Fapas® report is printed. End users of Fapas® reports should ensure that either the PDF file they are viewing displays a valid Fapas® digital signature or that the content of their hard copy exactly matches the content of a PDF file that displays a valid Fapas® digital signature.
QUALITY SYSTEMS
Fapas® – Food Chemistry is accredited by UKAS as complying with the requirements of ISO/IEC 17043:2010 [3]. Fera is an ISO 9001 certified organisation.
0009
Fera hereby excludes all liability for any claim, loss, demands or damages of any kind whatsoever (whether such claims, loss, demands or damages were foreseeable, known or otherwise) arising out of or in connection with the preparation of any technical or scientific report, including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage; loss of actual or anticipated profits (including loss of profits on contracts); loss of revenue; loss of business; loss of opportunity; loss of anticipated savings; loss of goodwill; loss of reputation; loss or damage to or corruption of data; loss of use of money or otherwise, and whether or not advised of the possibility of such claim, loss demand or damages and whether arising in tort (including negligence), contract or otherwise. This statement does not affect your statutory rights. Nothing in this disclaimer excludes or limits Fera liability for: (a) death or personal injury caused by Fera negligence (or that of its employees, agents or directors); or (b) the tort of deceit; [or (c) any breach of the obligations implied by Sale of Goods Act 1979 or Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 (including those relating to the title, fitness for purpose and satisfactory quality of goods);] or (d) any liability which may not be limited or excluded by law (e) fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation. The parties agree that any matters are governed by English law and irrevocably submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts. © Copyright Fera Science Ltd (Fera) 2019. All rights reserved.
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SUMMARY
1. The test material for Fapas® – Food Chemistry proficiency test 22157 was dispatched in January 2019. Each participant received a breakfast cereal test material to be analysed for for zearalenone (ZON) and deoxynivalenol (DON).
2. An assigned value (xa) was determined for each analyte and in conjunction with the
standard deviation for proficiency (σp) was used to calculate a z-score for each result. However, those for ZON are given for information only.
3. Results for this proficiency test are summarised as follows:
analyte assigned value, xₐ µg/kg
number of scores, |z| ≤2
total number of scores
% |z|≤2
Zearalenone (ZON) 83.3 24 29 83
Deoxynivalenol (DON) 747 29 32 91
italics indicate for information only
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CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION 5
1.1. Proficiency Testing 5
2. TEST MATERIAL 5
2.1. Preparation 5
2.2. Homogeneity 5
2.3. Dispatch 5
3. RESULTS 5
4. STATISTICAL EVALUATION OF RESULTS 6
4.1. Calculation of the Assigned Value, xa 6
4.2. Standard Deviation for Proficiency, σp 6
4.3. Individual z-Scores 6
5. INTERPRETATION OF SCORES 7
6. REFERENCES 7
TABLES Table 1: Results and z-Scores for ZON and DON 8
Table 2: Participants’ Comments 10
Table 3: Assigned Values and Standard Deviations for Proficiency 10
Table 4: Number and Percentage of z-Scores where |z| ≤2 10
FIGURES Figure 1: z-Scores for ZON 11
Figure 2: z-Scores for DON 12
APPENDICES APPENDIX I: Analytical Methods Used by Participants 13
APPENDIX II: Fapas® SecureWeb, Protocol and Contact Details 18
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1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. Proficiency Testing
Proficiency testing aims to provide an independent assessment of the competence of participating laboratories. Together with the use of validated methods, proficiency testing is an essential element of laboratory quality assurance. Further details of the Fapas® – Food Chemistry proficiency testing scheme are available in our protocols [4, 5].
2. TEST MATERIAL
2.1. Preparation
Preparation of the samples for this proficiency test was sub-contracted to a laboratory meeting the quality requirements of the scheme’s accreditation [3]. The test material was prepared from commercially available breakfast cereal. The breakfast cereal was spiked with DON and ZON to achieve the required concentrations. Samples were stored at -20°C until dispatch.
2.2. Homogeneity
To test for homogeneity, randomly selected test materials were analysed in duplicate. Testing was sub-contracted to a laboratory meeting the quality requirements of the scheme’s accreditation [3]. These data showed sufficient homogeneity and were not included in the subsequent calculation of the assigned values.
2.3. Dispatch
The start date was 3 January 2019. Test materials were sent to 32 participants.
3. RESULTS
The instructions for reporting results were as follows: • Determine the level of DON and ZON present in the test material, as received.
Report one result, in µg/kg, corrected for recovery and with the % recovery stated. If a different correction factor to a % recovery was used, please make a note of this in the comments box.
Results were submitted by 32 participants (100%) before the closing date for this test, 14 February 2019. Each participant was given a laboratory number, assigned in order of receipt of results. The reported analyte concentrations are given in Table 1. Participants’ comments are given in Table 2. The analytical methods used by each participant are summarised in APPENDIX I.
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4. STATISTICAL EVALUATION OF RESULTS
The results submitted by participants were statistically analysed in order to provide an assigned value for each analyte. The assigned values were then used in combination with the standard deviation for proficiency, σp, to calculate a z-score [6] for each result. The procedure is detailed in the relevant protocols [4, 5]. Further background on the procedure followed can be found in the IUPAC International Harmonised Protocol for the Proficiency Testing of Analytical Chemistry Laboratories [7].
4.1. Calculation of the Assigned Value, xa
The assigned value, xa, for each analyte was derived from the consensus of the results submitted by participants. The following results were excluded from the calculation of the assigned value:
i) non numerical results i.e. qualitative or semi-quantitative results, ii) results reported as approximately 10, 100 or 1000 × greater or smaller than the
majority of submitted results (as these were considered to be reporting errors), iii) results from participants not quoting a percentage recovery or stating ‘not
corrected’ (as these were considered to be uncorrected for recovery). For DON, this procedure was straightforward and the robust mean was chosen as the assigned value. For ZON, the mode was chosen as the assigned value because the data was skewed by a small number of high results. The kernel density plot of the distribution is shown as an insert to Figure 1. The assigned values for all analytes are shown in Table 3.
4.2. Standard Deviation for Proficiency, σp
The standard deviation for proficiency, σp, was set at a value that reflects best practice for the analyses in question. For each analyte, σp was derived from the appropriate form of the Horwitz equation [8]. The values for σp used to calculate z-scores from the reported results of this test are given in Table 3.
4.3. Individual z-Scores
Participants’ z-scores were calculated as:
p
axxzσ
)( −=
where x = the participant’s reported result,
xa = the assigned value and σp = the standard deviation for proficiency.
Participants’ z-scores for each analyte are given in Table 1 and shown as histograms in Figures 1–2. Those for ZON are given for information only. It is possible for the z-scores published in this report to differ slightly from the z-score that can be calculated using the
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formula given above. These differences arise from the necessary rounding of the actual assigned values and standard deviations for proficiency prior to their publication in Table 3. The number and percentage of z-scores in the range -2 ≤ z ≤ 2 for all analytes are given in Table 4.
5. INTERPRETATION OF SCORES
In normal circumstances, over time, about 95% of z-scores will lie in the range -2 ≤ z ≤ 2. Occasional scores in the range 2 <|z| <3 are to be expected, at a rate of 1 in 20. Whether or not such scores are of importance can only be decided by considering them in the context of the other scores obtained by that laboratory. Scores where |z| >3 are to be expected at a rate of about 1 in 300. Given this rarity, such z-scores very strongly indicate that the result is not fit-for-purpose and almost certainly requires investigation. The consideration of a set or sequence of z-scores over time provides more useful information than a single z-score. Examples of suitable methods of comparison are provided in the IUPAC International Harmonised Protocol for the Proficiency Testing of Analytical Chemistry Laboratories [7].
6. REFERENCES
1 Adobe Approved Trust List, https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/approved-trust-list2.html#Whatisit accessed 13/11/2018.
2 GlobalSign PDF Signing Tool, https://www.globalsign.com/en/digital-signatures/ accessed 13/11/2018.
3 ISO/IEC 17043:2010, Conformity assessment – General requirements for proficiency testing.
4 Fapas®, 2017, Protocol for Proficiency Testing Schemes, Version 6, April 2017, Part 1 – Common Principles.
5 Fapas®, 2017, Protocol for Proficiency Testing Schemes, Version 5, April 2017, Part 2 – Fapas® Food Chemistry scheme (FAPAS).
6 AMC Tech Brief No. 74, z-Scores and other scores in chemical proficiency testing – their meanings, and some common misconceptions, Anal. Methods, 2016, 8, 5553.
7 Thompson, M., Ellison, S.L.R. and Wood, R., 2006, The International Harmonised Protocol for the Proficiency Testing of Analytical Chemistry Laboratories, Pure Appl. Chem., 78, No. 1, 145–196.
8 Thompson, M., 2000, Recent trends in inter-laboratory precision at ppb and sub-ppb concentrations in relation to fitness for purpose criteria in proficiency testing, Analyst, 125, 385-386.
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Table 1: Results and z-Scores for ZON and DON
laboratory number
analyte
ZON DON
assigned value: 83.3 µg/kg assigned value: 747 µg/kg
result recovery (%) z-score result recovery (%) z-score
001
90
0.4 698
-0.4
002
82.7
0.0 610
-1.1
003
142.99 80.60 3.3 598.09 106.17 -1.2
004
93 87 0.5 828 68 0.6
005
145.67
3.4 1000
2.0
006
103.9 94 1.1 588 105 -1.3
007
80 100 -0.2 740 79 -0.1
008
53.5 100 -1.6 749 100 0.0
009
83.95 78.38 0.0 872.92 96.48 1.0
010
89.826
0.4 663.905
-0.7
011
113.02 91 1.6 908.00 116 1.3
012
86.09 111 0.2 798.16 92 0.4
013
99.9 90.8 0.9 726.8 96.9 -0.2
014
59.1 91 -1.3 816
0.6
015
105
1.2 1010
2.1 016
795 97 0.4
017
85.1 90 0.1 842 90 0.8
018
65 97 -1.0 781 54 0.3
019
619.3 87.6% -1.0
020
64.2 109 -1.0 693 102 -0.4
z-scores outside |z| >2 are shown in bold, see Section 5 italics indicate for information only
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Table 1 (continued): Results and z-Scores for ZON and DON
laboratory number
analyte
ZON DON
assigned value: 83.3 µg/kg assigned value: 747 µg/kg
result recovery (%) z-score result recovery (%) z-score
021
96 100 0.7 760 100 0.1
022
88.00 120.19 0.3 875.62 85.90 1.0
023
73 109 -0.6 738 114 -0.1
024
111 86% 1.5 695 68% -0.4
025
101.388
1.0 751.380
0.0
026
138 85 3.0 955 76 1.7
027
64.36 91 -1.0 476.6 113 -2.2 028
142 66 3.2 806 118 0.5
029
69.1 100 -0.8 721.8 84.1 -0.2
030
733.0 96.25 -0.1
031
595.0 80.0 27.9 88.0 85.0 -5.3 032
105.227
1.2 774.24
0.2
z-scores outside |z| >2 are shown in bold, see Section 5 italics indicate for information only
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Table 2: Participants’ Comments
laboratory number comments
001 Loq for DON is 10 ppb, Loq for ZON is 5 ppb.
008 Recovery doesn't differ significatively from 100% for quantification method is surrogate matrix matched.
014 ELISA
023 Done as 1:5 due to not enough sample
comments are as submitted by participants but some may have been edited to maintain participant anonymity
Table 3: Assigned Values and Standard Deviations for Proficiency
analyte data points, n
assigned value, xₐ
µg/kg
uncertainty, u
standard deviation for proficiency, σp
ZON 22 83.3 6.8 Horwitz [8] 18.3
DON 24 747 24 Horwitz [8] 125
italics indicate for information only
Table 4: Number and Percentage of z-Scores where |z| ≤2
analyte number of scores where |z| ≤2
total number of scores
% |z|≤2
ZON 24 29 83
DON 29 32 91
italics indicate for information only
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Figure 1: z-Scores for ZON
This histogram is given for information only Insert shows the kernel density plot of distribution of results
8 14 20 27 18 29 23 7 2 9 17 12 22 10 1 4 21 13 25 6 15 32 24 11 26 28 3 5 31
120 µg/kg
83.3 µg/kg
46.6 µg/kg
-3.0
-2.0
-1.0
0.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
10.0
z-score
Laboratory Number
250200150100500
0.014
0.012
0.010
0.008
0.006
0.004
0.002
0.000
Analytical result ug/kg
Den
sity
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Figure 2: z-Scores for DON
31 27 6 3 2 19 10 20 24 1 29 13 30 23 7 8 25 21 32 18 16 12 28 14 4 17 9 22 11 26 5 15
997 µg/kg
747 µg/kg
497 µg/kg
-5.0
-4.0
-3.0
-2.0
-1.0
0.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
z-score
Laboratory Number
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APPENDIX I: Analytical Methods Used by Participants
Methods are tabulated according to the information supplied by participants, but some responses may have been combined or edited for clarity.
Accredited Method Used laboratory number
no 002 016 018
yes 004 007 008 009 011 017 019 020 022 024 025 026 027 028 029 030 031 032
Method Based On laboratory number
International Standard 017
National Standard 016 019 022 024 025
Paper Published In An International Journal 018 026
Manufacturer/Kit Instructions/Technical Note 002 009 011 020 027 030
In house method 004 007 008 029 031 032
Sample Weight (g) laboratory number
≥1 - <2 025
≥2 - <5 016 022 024 026 031
≥5 - <10 007 008 011 018 019 027 032
≥10 - <25 002 009 017 020 028 029
≥25 - <50 004 030
Extraction Solvent Components laboratory number
acetonitrile 004 007 008 009 016 017 024 025 026 029 032
ethanoic acid (acetic acid) 008
methanol 002 011 018 020 024 027 032
water 002 004 008 009 016 017 018 019 020 022 024 026 027 030 031 032
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Extraction Procedure laboratory number
blend / homogenise with solvent 020 027
shake with solvent 002 004 007 008 009 011 017 018 026 032
shaking 016 019 022
Ultra Turrax 030
vortex mix 025 027 031
Extraction Type laboratory number
multiple 016 026
single 002 004 007 008 009 011 017 018 019 020 022 024 025 027 028 030 031 032
Extraction Time (mins) laboratory number
≥2 - <5 002 011 020 025 027 030
≥5 - <10 007
≥10 - <30 022 026 031
≥30 - <60 008 009 016 018 019 024 032
?60 004 017
Sample Work Up laboratory number
centrifuge 008 011 016 018 019 022 024 025 027 030
dilute 002 007 016 018 024 027
evaporate 016 019
Extrelut 019
filter 002 004 009 016 017 019 022 026 027 031
Sample Clean-up by Immunoaffinity Column (Brand)
laboratory number
R-Biopharm Rhone 007 030
VICAM 009 018 022 025
casco biotech 019
ELISA kit 027
Mycosep 017
Qhechers method 008
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Sample Clean-up by SPE laboratory number
single-level 017
immuno affinity column 019
Romer Labs 004
Mycotoxin Determination laboratory number
ELISA 002 011 020 027
fluorometric 030
HPLC 004 007 009 016 019 022 024 025 032
MS 016
MS-MS 008 017 018 026 031
HPLC Pre Column Derivatisation laboratory number
OPA 030
none 007 016 017 018 026
HPLC Injection Volume (µl) laboratory number
<5 032
≥5 - <10 016 018 026 031
≥10 - <25 008 017 022
≥25 - <50 025
≥50 - <100 004 007
≥100 - <150 009 019 030
HPLC Column Packing laboratory number
C18 004 007 008 009 016 017 018 019 022 024 025 026 030 032
C8 031
HPLC Column Temperature (°C) laboratory number
ambient 024 025 032
>ambient - <50 004 007 008 009 016 017 018 019 022 026 030 031
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Mobile Phase Components laboratory number
acetate 025 031
ethanoic acid (acetic acid) 018
acetonitrile 004 007 008 009 017 022 024 030
formic acid (methanoic acid) 008 018 032
methanol 004 009 016 017 018 019 022 026 030 031 032
water 004 008 009 016 017 018 019 022 024 026 030 031 032
Mobile Phase Flow Rate (ml/min) laboratory number
<0.25 016 017
≥0.25 - <0.75 004 008 009 018 024 026 032
≥0.75 - <1.25 007 019 025 030 031
≥2.25 022
Post Column Mobile Phase Flow Rate (ml/min)
laboratory number
<0.25 004
≥0.25 - <0.75 026
≥0.75 007 019
HPLC Detector Type laboratory number
Diode Array Detector 009 019
fluorescence 022 030
MS-MS 008 016 017 018 024 026 028 031 032
PAD 025
Isothermal Column Temp laboratory number
yes 009 026 030
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Source of Standards laboratory number
Romer Labs 002 004 024 032
Sigma/Aldrich 009 017 018 022 031
Wako 018
IRMM 016
LGC 030
Trilogy 020
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APPENDIX II: Fapas® SecureWeb, Protocol and Contact Details
1. Fapas® SECUREWEB
Access to the secure area of our website is only available to participants in our proficiency tests. Please contact us if you require a UserID and Password. Fapas® SecureWeb allows participants to:
• Obtain their laboratory numbers for the proficiency tests in which they have participated.
• View the results they submitted in past and current proficiency tests. • Submit their results and methods for current tests. • Review future tests they have ordered. • Order proficiency tests, reference materials and quality control materials. • Freely download copies of reports (PDF file), of proficiency tests in which they have
participated. • View charts of their z-scores obtained in previous Fapas® – Food Chemistry
proficiency tests.
2. PROTOCOL
The Protocols [4, 5] set out how Fapas® – Food Chemistry is organised. Copies can be downloaded from our website.
3. CONTACT DETAILS
This report was prepared and authorised on behalf of Fapas® by Elaine Leach (Round Coordinator). Participants with any comments or concerns about this proficiency test should contact:
Fapas® Fera Science Ltd (Fera)
National Agri-Food Innovation Campus Sand Hutton
York YO41 1LZ
UK
Tel: +44 (0)1904 462100 Fax: +44 (0)1904 500440
[email protected] www.fapas.com