A mussel tissue certified reference material for multiple phycotoxins. Part 3: homogeneity and stability

Area of Science:

• Marine Biology
• Analytical Chemistry
• Food Safety

Background:

• Shellfish toxins pose significant risks to human health and marine ecosystems.
• Accurate quantification of multiple marine biotoxins is crucial for regulatory compliance and public health protection.
• Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) are essential for validating analytical methods and ensuring data reliability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prepare and characterize a candidate certified reference material (CRM) for multiple shellfish toxins.
• To assess the homogeneity and stability of the prepared CRM for its intended use in quality assurance.
• To ensure the fitness-for-purpose of the CRM for accurate shellfish toxin analysis.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of a freeze-dried powder from mussel (Mytilus edulis) tissues.
• Assessment of between-bottle and within-bottle homogeneity.
• Short-term and long-term stability studies under isochronous conditions at various temperatures.
• Analysis of multiple shellfish toxins including domoic acid, okadaic acid, dinophysistoxins, pectenotoxins, yessotoxin, azaspiracids, and spirolides.

Main Results:

• Acceptable between-bottle homogeneity was confirmed for the candidate CRM.
• Precise subsampling down to 0.35 g was demonstrated for within-bottle homogeneity.
• Excellent short- and long-term stability of the various toxins was observed.
• Degradation of some analytes occurred at +60°C, but shipping at ambient temperature is adequate.
• No instability was detected in long-term studies; storage at +18°C for 1 year is safe, with long-term stock maintained at -20°C.

Conclusions:

• The candidate CRM (CRM-FDMT1) exhibits satisfactory homogeneity and stability.
• This material is suitable for quality assurance and quality control in shellfish toxin analysis.
• The developed CRM will support accurate and reliable monitoring of marine biotoxins.