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Hidden contributors to uncertainty and accuracy of results of residue analysis

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Abstract

Accurate analytical results with known uncertainty are required for the safety assessment of pesticides and testing the conformity of marketed food and feed with the maximum residue limits. The available information on various sources of errors was examined with special emphasis to those which may remain unaccounted for based on the current practice of many laboratories. The method validation typically covers the steps of the pesticide residue determination from the extraction of spiked samples to the instrumental determination, which contribute to only 10–40% of total variance of results. Though the variability of sampling, sample size reduction and sample processing may amount to the 60–90% of total variance, it generally remains unnoticed leading to wrong decisions. Another important source of gross error is the mismatch of the residues analysed and those included in the relevant residue definition. Procedures which may be applied for eliminating or reducing the errors are discussed.

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Acknowledgments

The contribution of Etelka Solymosné Majzik and Perihan Yolci as well as the participants of coordinated research projects providing the experimental data for the evaluation of the uncertainty of sampling and sample size reduction is highly appreciated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hungarian Food Safety Office, Gyáli u 2-6, 1097, Budapest, Hungary

    Árpád Ambrus, Andrea Zentai, Judit Sali & István Ficzere

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  1. Árpád Ambrus
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Correspondence to Árpád Ambrus.

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Ambrus, Á., Zentai, A., Sali, J. et al. Hidden contributors to uncertainty and accuracy of results of residue analysis. Accred Qual Assur 16, 3–11 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00769-010-0721-6

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