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Development and Use of A Proficiency Test Specimen for Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning
Author(s) -
ARES JOHN A.,
DYMSZA HENRY A.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
journal of food science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 150
eISSN - 1750-3841
pISSN - 0022-1147
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2621.1982.tb07617.x
Subject(s) - saxitoxin , shellfish , paralytic shellfish poisoning , toxin , test (biology) , toxicology , biology , fishery , microbiology and biotechnology , fish <actinopterygii> , ecology , aquatic animal
ABSTRACT A proficiency test specimen was developed for evaluating laboratory precision in paralytic shellfish poisoning bioassays. Such a specimen is needed since much of health and economic consequence depends on an analyst's precision in measuring the toxin. Therefore, after testing clams, mussels, and mashed potato matrices, a test specimen composed of saxitoxin dihydrochloride and hydrated potato flakes was selected. Samples containing two toxin levels were sent to 14 collaborating laboratories. Analysis of results identified errors arising from poor dilution techniques. Recovery percentages and variances of mashed potato were comparable to those previously reported with shellfish matrices. Use of the potato matrix appears to offer cost and convenience advantages.