140 Downloads
Last Updated: 19-10-2020 15:48
Within the framework of the HBM4EU project, an interlaboratory comparison was organised for the determination of a biomarker for the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) in urine.
The study was performed in June/July 2020 and was conducted to assess the comparability and reliability of analytical methods across the participating expert laboratories.
The HBM4EU QAU had selected six expert laboratories for mycotoxin biomarkers in urine. The expert laboratories were from six different countries in Europe. Due to COVID-19 related capacity issues, one expert lab could no longer participate in the program.
Each participant received two control materials of human urine to be analysed for total DON (total of free and conjugated). The laboratories were requested to perform a single analysis and to submit the results to the organiser within 3 weeks.
A first assessment of comparability of results was done by calculation of the mean, the RSD, and the relative uncertainty of the mean. Results were compared against the mean through a Z-score when the relative uncertainty of the mean was within 17.5%. This was the case for one sample (R3A). For that sample, the results reported by all five labs were comparable. For the other sample (R3B), the uncertainty of the mean of the five laboratories was too high. No reliable mean could be established and no z-scores assigned.