This document aims at providing guidelines for a correct sample preparation in GMO analysis on food, feed, seed, plants and propagating material samples. It has been developed by the European Network of GMO Laboratories (ENGL), specifically by the ENGL working group “sample preparation procedures” upon a mandate of the ENGL steering committee. The structure of the document is based on that of an existing ISO standard (ISO 6498:2012), dealing with sample preparation for feed; starting from this, the procedures were adapted to the needs of GMO detection and the scope concerning matrices was widen to food, feed and seeds.
These guidelines cover the key steps of the sample preparation, i.e. the size of the laboratory sample, the mass reduction techniques as well as techniques for comminution and mixing; considerations about the test portion are included and some performance tests to be applied at different steps of the process are provided.
While sample preparation, falling after sampling and before analytical testing for GMOs, has suffered from a lack of guidance and harmonization, this document provides detailed and practical hints on this important step, thus contributing to foster testing harmonisation.
BERBEN Gilbert;
CHARELS Diana;
DEMŠAR Tina;
HOCHEGGER Rupert;
NARDINI Elena;
ONORI Roberta;
SCHULZE Manuela;
PHILIPP Patrick;
WEBER Thomas;
2015-01-22
Publications Office of the European Union
JRC94042
978-92-79-44705-1 (print),
978-92-79-44704-4,
1018-5593 (print),
1831-9424 (online),
EUR 27021,
OP LB-NA-27021-EN-C (print),
OP LB-NA-27021-EN-N (online),
https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC94042,
10.2788/337005 (print),
10.2788/738570 (online),
