Title: Simplified sample preparation methods for rapid immunoassay analysis of PCDD/Fs in foods

Auteur(s): Harrison RPO ; Carlson RE ;  ; 

Year: 2000

Journal: Organohalogen Compounds

Subject(s): PCDD/F ; analysis ; polychlorinated ; polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins ; polychlorinated dibenzofurans ; TEQ ; fly ash ; food ;  ; 

Summary: Immunochemical analysis of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) has been an important research goal for more than two decades, but without significant success until the late 1990's. One recently developed enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for PCDD/Fs bas demonstrated correlation with TEQ to low pg/g levels in soils and fly ash samples. Broad application of this immunoassay method to food samples would be greatly facilitated by rapid sample preparation methods which take full advantage of the speed and simplicity of the EIA. This paper describes the development of rapid sample preparation methods designed specifically for this EIA. The key component of these sample preparation methods is a proprietary activated carbon column which uses polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) column materials to reduce adsorptive losses. This inexpensive disposable column is used as a first step for retention of the total aromatic portion of a sample while the bulk of the sample lipid and other matrix materials are passed through the column. The eluate is then treated with concentrated sulfuric acid and exchanged to methanol for EIA analysis. The procedure for loading, washing and elution is much simpler and faster than conventional carbon column chromatography. This carbon column method, when coupled to the acid treatment. comprises a rapid and simple two step cleanup procedure for EIA use. When combined with tbe EIA, this cleanup yields a complete method for low ppt PCDD/F analysis. The entire sample preparation and EIA analysis can be performed in approximately 10 hours for a batch of 8 to 16 samples.