Uncertainty in aflatoxin B1 analysis using information from proficiency tests.
We describe how to calculate uncertainty in the determination of aflatoxin B(1) in nuts and maize using an HPLC method with prederivatisation with trifluoroacetic acid and fluorescence detection. The uncertainty is easily calculated using the information obtained from the participation in several proficiency tests. All the sources of uncertainty are grouped in two terms: (1) matrix variability, intermediate precision and sample heterogeneity, and (2) method concordance. This methodology has the advantage that no extra work needs to be done because all the information to calculate uncertainty comes from proficiency tests. The uncertainty values were calculated using samples whose concentration ranged between 2 and 20 microg L(-1). The relative standard uncertainty computed for aflatoxin B(1) was 16.3%.
Maroto
Alicia
A
Departament de Química Analítica i Química Orgànica, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, C/Marcel.lí Domingo, s/n (Campus Sescelades), 43007, Tarragona (Catalunya), Spain.
Boqué
Ricard
R
Riu
Jordi
J
Ruisánchez
Itziar
I
Odena
Marta
M
D016604:Aflatoxin B1 / Q000032:analysis*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D005504:Food Analysis / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009754:Nuts / Q000737:chemistry; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018401:Sample Size; D035501:Uncertainty; D003313:Zea mays / Q000737:chemistry
D016604:Aflatoxin B1