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Method Performance Feedback 2014.03
method requirements and scope.
SMPRs were not prepared for this method. This method was not developed through the stakeholder process. It
was a method chosen in response to an emergency. The method performance was compared to the NIST method
for PAHs.
The 19 PAHs studied were those chosen by NOAA as representative and were used by all labs responding to the
Gulf Oil Spill. ERP members found this scope and performance appropriate at October 2014 ERP meeting.
Method Scope and Applicability ERP3 statement was most representative
ER 3 Scope of the method includes 19 specific PAHs in seafood. The matrices tested, shrimp, oyster and mussel,
are typically 5%
lipid content and below (USDA Nutrient database). Lipid content of commodities amendable for this method is an
important consideration and should be addressed in the text of the method. Higher fat samples are addressed
briefly in the
method, indicating that a reduction of volume of extract should be applied to the silica SPE cartridge. This is a
reasonable
modification to the method but has implications for overall detectability, especially for BaP. It is possible that to
meet fat
removal criteria, modifications for calibration curves and/or sample preparation will need to be made.
Modifications may be
significant and therefore some comment on an upper limit of the lipid content applicable for the method as
written would
be useful.
No available SMPR. This method was created in an effort to address an emergency response to the gulf oil spill.
Expert Review Panel Chair Report
Only negative comment was there was no data from certified reference material to demonstrate the method
performance. However, the discussion of the Expert Review Panel concluded that the use of
a certified reference material was not required and did not delineate scientific reasoning to not move the
method forward.
Based upon the feedback submitted, are there any recommended changes to the AOAC First Action method as
written?
No
No
No
Yes,
The need to include the NIST reference material was noted and should be mentioned in the method.
Negative Vote Discussion: One member of the expert review panel voted against the motion. Due to the
reviewer’s comments, he inquired about the method not using a certified reference material for PAHs in
seafood. Standard Reference Material (SRM) 1974b Mussel Tissue is mentioned as part of the qualification of
the labs as a practice sample, but no data was reported using SRM 1974b for validation of the proposed
method. The availability of SRM 1974c (which has replaced SRM 1974b) provided an excellent opportunity to
use a CRM to validate an AOAC method. The discussion of the Expert Review Panel concluded that the use of
a certified reference material was not required and did not delineate scientific reasoning to not move the
method forward. This method was created in an effort to address an emergency response to the gulf oil spill.
The information provided in reference to the selection of the 19 target PAH compounds and the matrices