Development of reference materials for paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins

A project was undertaken to develop mussel reference materials that were certified for their mass fractions of saxitoxin and decarbamoyl-saxitoxin. Fifteen laboratories from various European countries participated. Three of these had major responsibility for substantial parts of the work and overall coordination of the project. The project involved 4 main activities: (1) procurement and characterization of calibrants; (2) improvement of analytical methodology; (3) preparation of reference materials, including homogeneity and stability studies; (4) 2 interlaboratory studies and a certification exercise. The joint activities resulted in 3 homogeneous and stable reference materials: 2 lyophilized mussel materials with and without naturally incurred paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins, and a saxitoxin enrichment solution. The reference materials were certified with respect to their saxitoxin and decarbamoyl-saxitoxin content. The lyophilized mussel material with PSP toxins (CRM 542) contained <0.07 mg saxitoxin x 2HCl/kg and 1.59 +/- 0.20 mg decarbamoyl-saxitoxin x 2HCl/kg. The lyophilized mussel material without PSP toxins (CRM 543) contained <0.07 mg saxitoxin x 2HCl/kg and <0.04 mg decarbamoyl-saxitoxin x 2HCl/kg. The certified value of the saxitoxin mass fraction in the saxitoxin enrichment solution (CRM 663) was 9.8 +/- 1.2 microg/g.