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4. Does the method, as
written, contain all
appropriate precautions
and warnings related to
the method's reagents,
components,
instrumentation, or
method steps that may be
hazardous? If no, please
suggest wording or
option(s).
Yes, although more detail may be beneficial. The
method instructs users to refer to safety data
sheets and local rules for health and environmental
safety. Even though the potential hazards
associated with this method are similar to other
general laboratory procedures, it may be beneficial
for an end user to have the hazards identified more
specifically (e.g. hazards associated with handling
formic acid or hexane and appropriate precautions).
1. Are the definitions
specified in the SMPR
used and applied
appropriately in the
supporting documentation
(manuscripts, method
studies, etc...)? If not,
please explain the
differences and if the
method is impacted by the
difference.
No. As stated in previous answer, the use of dried
versions of whole milk and whole egg instead of the
liquid versions, as defined in the SMPR, cause issues
with the subsequent results and measurement
units. While the dried versions of the allergenic
foods are indeed more suitable to work with (and
more relevant to the food industry), they are not
what is defined in the SMPR. The authors would at
least need to very specifically define any theoretical
or empirical conversions between the materials,
which they do not appear to have done given the
information in the submission.
2. Is there information
demonstrating that the
method meets the SMPR
Method Performance
Requirements using the
Reference Materials
stated in the SMPR? If not,
then specify what is
missing and how this
impacts demonstration of
performance of the
method.
Yes- for the materials used as calibrants for the
method. The authors did not, however, analyze any
external incurred reference materials, only those
prepared in house. Whether or not the reference
materials indicated in the SMPR are relevant for
demonstrating performance is somewhat
debatable, but as mentioned elsewhere, the
authors should demonstrate method performance
on samples other than those used to create the
calibration curve.
3. Is there information
demonstrating that the
method performs within
No. The authors should give the actual values for
performance requirements such as MDL, MQL, and
RSDr, instead of just less than values. It is also