Initial interlaboratory validation of an analytical method for the determination of lead in canned tuna to be used for monitoring and regulatory purposes.
The Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) Standard Method 972.23 (dry ashing and flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (FAAS)), applied to the analysis of lead in tuna, was validated in three selected local laboratories to determine the acceptability of the method to both the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex) and the European Union (EU) Commission for monitoring lead in canned tuna. Initial validation showed that the standard AOAC method as performed in the three participating laboratories cannot satisfy the Codex/EU proposed criteria for the method detection limit for monitoring lead in fish at the present regulation level of 0.5 mg x kg(-1). Modification of the standard method by chelation/concentration of the digest solution before FAAS analysis showed that the modified method has the potential to meet Codex/EU criteria on sensitivity, accuracy and precision at the specified regulation level.
Santiago
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Research and Analytical Services Laboratory, Natural Sciences Research Institute, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, 1101 Philippines. ecs@msri.upd.edu.ph
Bello
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D000818:Animals; D005504:Food Analysis / Q000379:methods; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis*; D005519:Food Preservation; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D017747:Seafood / Q000032:analysis*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic / Q000379:methods; D014413:Tuna
D007854:Lead