TITLE:
Challenging the Expiry Dates of Two Mycotoxins Standards: Afla and Ochra A
AUTHORS:
A. Aridi, L. Baydoun, C. M. S. T. Sukhn
KEYWORDS:
Mycotoxins, Aflatoxins, Ochratoxin A, G1, G2, B1, B2, OTA, Persistent, Ther-mostable, Standards, Certified, Low Concentration, High Purity, Challenge, Expiry Date, Years, HPLC, Manufacturer, Suppliers
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering,
Vol.5 No.8,
October
10,
2017
ABSTRACT: Objectives: To challenge the expiry dates of low concentration high purity mycotoxins standards. Literature Review: Aflatoxins (AFs) and Ochratoxin A (OTA) are persistent mycotoxins with adverse effects on humans. Mycotoxins standards are purchased to determine mycotoxin concentrations in food and may be stocked in some laboratories beyond expiry dates causing laboratories financial losses. Methods: Certified mycotoxins standards were purchased over the years from the same supplier at times and at other times from two different suppliers for quality control purposes. For AFs, six chromatographic runs for each of the mycotoxins standards were done to compare the difference among these standards having the following expiry dates (2008, 2012, 2013 and 2018). AFs standards purchased/obtained from two different suppliers in 2016 and expiring in 2018 were also compared. For OTA, the difference of concentration obtained between two years (2010 and 2018) was tested. All samples were run on a HPLC equipped with a fluorescence detector. Linearity of calibration curves and the points of lowest detection were determined for AFs components and for OTA from the unexpired mycotoxins standards. Results: At a 0.05 significance level and using non parametric tests, the statistical test revealed a p of 0.166, 0.153, 0.358 and 0.03 for B1, G1, B2 and G2 respectively among years for standards from same supplier and 0.037, 0.109, 0.182 and 0.182 for B1, G1, B2 and G2 respectively for unexpired standards from two different suppliers. For OTA, a p of 0.109 was obtained for standards of different expiry dates purchased from different suppliers. Conclusion: High purity low concentration mycotoxin standards purchased a decade ago (i.e. expired) did not differ from those purchased this current year (still valid). Hence, the expiry date can be renewed reducing the laboratories expenses. Manufacturers are urged to reconsider the expiry dates.