About the analytes 

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites with low molecular weight produced by different species of fungi1  that can grow at any time, including pre-harvest until post- harvest 2. The development of this fungi depends on various factors, but to include some of the more relevants are the temperature and humidity of drying and storage of the spices.

The annual report of RASFF from 2017 set the mycotoxins in the second spot from a top 10 ranking of hazardous food contamination that year 3, mycotoxins and more specifically aflatoxins (AF) B/G and the Ochratoxin A(OTA) produces in humans metabolites with mutagenic, teratogenic and carcinogenic effects 2. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies the AF as cancinogenic substances from group 1 (They cause cancer to humans), while the OTA has been classified as a cancinogenic compound from the group 2B (There hare some evidences that causes cancer to humans) 3.

You can check the current legislation in the EU for OTA in paprika here and aflatoxins in different matrixes, including paprika here.

Summary of the proficiency test

All the information about this PT can be found in the protocol, which can be donwloaded from a link located below, in this page.

This proficiency test will consist in a single round, with one or two samples that will be distributed, each sample will contain 100g of matrix, it will be properly labelled and it can be checked in the additional instructions sent along with the samples which sample should be analyzed for each parameter. The target standard desviation for all the aflatoxins B/G and totals will be of 22% and 30% for Ochratoxin A.

For this PT the parameters to be analysed are: 

PT Scheduled milestones

*These dates are orientative and always will have to be checked in the protocol of the PT and the news in our webpage.

Why choose TestQual? Is this PT accredited?

·Accredited in the ISO/IEC 17043:2010 for Aflatoxins B/G, totals and Ochratoxin A. Check our scope of accreditation here.

·Chance to analyse both Aflatoxins B/G and Ochratoxin A in one participation.

TestQual's proficiency testing schemes are a useful tool for testing laboratories to demonstrate their competence and quality assurance of their analysis, a continous participation allows our clients to compare their results with other laboratories from the sector, follow up their performance and detect bias or errors that can be correctly approached with preventive or corrective actions.

By assiduously participating in PTs laboratories can assure their clients their commitment to the continous improvement and scaning of possible errors, offering always the security and trust that their results are always reliable and have been contrasted through an exhaustive internal quality control and continuous checks with the participation in TestQual's proficiency tests.

Additionally, from TestQual we make sure to listen to all the feedback given by our clients, making sure our PTs are designed accordingly with the needs and sugestions of our participants.

How to apply

Those laboratories that want to participate and are not registered on our website can register through this link: START REGISTRATION

If your laboratory is already registered on our website you can start your applciation by clicking the link situated at the bottom of this page, in APPLICATION FORM, once you have logged in you will have to enter your Limit of Quantification (LOQ) for the parameters that have to be studied. The analytes with LOQ equal to NA (NOT ANALYSED) will NOT appear in the website when submiting the results of the PT. It is not necesary for your to analyze all parameters to participate.

Once the application has been sent, as soon as possible you will receive an email with your laboratory code for the participation in the PT.

Contact data

If you have any doubt, if you want to get a quote or if we can help you in any other way, you can contact us by: