Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Dioxin testing Std in NZ {GC-HRMS AND CALUX™}

A Comparative Study of GC-HRMS and CALUX™ TEQ Determinations in Food Samples 
by the Belgian Federal Ministries of Public Health and Agriculture. 
Full PDF here


GC-HRMS: Gas Chromatography/High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry

CALUX™Chemical Activated Luciferase gene eXpression

Conclusion:
Biologically based systems of analysis for TEQ determination of contamination of food and feed have developed to the point that they are useful for risk assessment determinations of the hazards of exposure to this class of environmental contaminants. 
Other investigators have demonstrated the value of reporter gene technology in assessing dioxin and/or PCB contamination and the risk of exposure to this class of environmental contaminants with less stringent parametric correlations.6,7 

The data in this report showed the usefulness of the CALUX™ method as an alternative 
method for GC-HRMS to determine TEQ levels in different matrices. 
It is a rapid and cost effective analytical system to determine planar PCB- and PCDD/PCDF- levels in various food products.  
We showed that a good correlation exists between GC-HRMS data and CALUX™ data and that a minimal amount of false positive results is obtained using the CALUX™ method.  
More data are required to obtain an improved model for predicting GC-HRMS data from CALUX™ results and to study matrix dependent influences. 

New Zealands' 
Testing Standard Uses 2014 "GC-HRMS"

Friday, April 04, 2014

Dioxins and PCBs


Dioxins are released as unintentional byproducts in burning and chlorination processes. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been used for example as heat transfer and insulation fluids in capacitors and transformers. The EU has set maximum limits on the levels of dioxins and PCBs allowed in fish and other foods.
The analytical methods for dioxins and PCBs are accredited with a flexible scope. This means that the methods are suitable for most sample matrixes.
The unit provides analytical services on a routine basis and accepts individual samples as well as samples from larger research projects. Details of the method are given in the Analytical Services brochure.

Compounds analyzed

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs)
  • 2,3,7,8-TCDD
  • 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD
  • 1,2,3,4,7,8-HxCDD
  • 1,2,3,6,7,8-HxCDD
  • 1,2,3,7,8,9-HxCDD
  • 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDD
  • OCDD
Polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs)
  • 2,3,7,8-TCDF
  • 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDF
  • 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF
  • 1,2,3,4,7,8-HxCDF
  • 1,2,3,6,7,8-HxCDF
  • 1,2,3,7,8,9-HxCDF
  • 2,3,4,6,7,8-HxCDF
  • 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDF
  • 1,2,3,4,7,8,9-HpCDF
  • OCDF
Non-ortho polychlorinated bifenyls (Non-ortho PCBs)
  • PCB 77
  • PCB 81
  • PCB 126
  • PCB 169
Other polypolychlorinated bifenyls (Other PCBs)
  • PCB 18
  • PCB 28/(31)
  • PCB 33
  • PCB 47
  • PCB 49
  • PCB 51
  • PCB 52
  • PCB 60
  • PCB 66
  • PCB 74
  • PCB 99
  • PCB 101
  • PCB 105
  • PCB 110
  • PCB 114
  • PCB 118
  • PCB 122
  • PCB 123
  • PCB 128
  • PCB 138
  • PCB 141
  • PCB 153
  • PCB 156
  • PCB 157
  • PCB 167
  • PCB 170
  • PCB 180
  • PCB 183
  • PCB 187
  • PCB 189
  • PCB 194
  • PCB 206
  • PCB 209