Accurate analysis of mycotoxins in cereals is essential for food safety, but most proficiency tests only evaluate analytical methods, ignoring the critical steps of sampling and sample preparation. A recent study in World Mycotoxin Journal addresses this gap by designing a quality control scheme for deoxynivalenol (DON) testing in wheat.
Researchers developed fortified kernel-like wheat material using DON-doped dough, producing kernels physically similar to wheat with realistic DON content and low kernel-to-kernel variation. Test samples were prepared by incorporating ~0.2% fusarium-damaged kernels into clean durum wheat, reflecting high-quality wheat standards. Fourteen participants analyzed the samples using their own preparation and analytical methods, including LC-MS/MS and immuno-based approaches.
The study revealed that sample preparation accounted for the majority of variance (49–99%), highlighting the importance of comminuting the entire sample rather than only a portion. Analytical methodology also influenced results, with mass spectrometry showing lower variance than immuno-based methods.
This framework provides laboratories with a controlled and reproducible way to assess their sample preparation and analytical performance, ensuring more reliable DON measurements. Beyond DON, the approach can be applied to other heterogeneously distributed contaminants and residues in grains and foodstuffs.
By integrating realistic test materials and evaluating the complete workflow, this research advances food safety monitoring, reduces measurement uncertainty, and supports better risk management in cereal production.
📄 Read the full open-access article here:
https://brill.com/view/journals/wmj/18/2-3/article-p145_4.xml
