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Deoxynivalenol in wheat and maize flour reference materials. 2. Preparation and certification
J Gilbert1, M Sharman, S Patel
1Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Food Science Laboratory, Norwich, UK.
Food Additives and Contaminants
|March 1, 1992
Summary
New certified reference materials for 4-deoxynivalenol (DON) in wheat and maize have been prepared. These materials ensure accurate and reliable mycotoxin testing in cereal products, crucial for food safety.
Area of Science:
- Food Chemistry
- Analytical Chemistry
- Agricultural Science
Background:
- Accurate measurement of mycotoxins like 4-deoxynivalenol (DON) is critical for food and agricultural safety.
- The need for reliable reference materials is essential for method validation and inter-laboratory comparisons.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prepare and certify four cereal reference materials (two wheat, two maize) for 4-deoxynivalenol (DON) content.
- To improve the accuracy and agreement of DON measurements in food and agricultural products.
Main Methods:
- Preparation involved milling, blending naturally contaminated and blank cereal samples, and packaging.
- Homogeneity and stability of the prepared reference materials were rigorously checked.
- Certification involved multiple laboratories using various extraction, clean-up, and chromatographic techniques (HPLC, GC).
Main Results:
- Wheat reference material RM 379 certified at 673 ± 21 µg/kg DON.
- Maize reference material RM 378 certified at 425 ± 38 µg/kg DON.
- Wheat RM 396 and Maize RM 377 certified at < 50 µg/kg DON.
Conclusions:
- The developed reference materials provide a reliable basis for verifying analytical methods for DON determination in cereals.
- These certified materials contribute to enhanced accuracy and comparability of mycotoxin testing across laboratories.
- Availability of these materials supports regulatory compliance and food safety assurance in the cereal industry.