DIFFERENCE Dioxins in Food and Feed – Reference Methods and New Certified Reference Materials
Country: EU Projects
Start Date:   1/2/2002         Duration: 36 months         Project Type: RTD
Contract Number: 
Organisation Type:  University research group / research institute
Topics: 
Diffuse pollution-->Contaminants-->Contaminants overview
Diffuse pollution-->Diffuse pollution overview
Project objectives: 
The objectives of the DIFFERENCE project is to develop, optimise and validate alternative (screening) techniques for the analysis of dioxins and PCBs. These 
techniques should allow a reliable, simple and low-cost determination of dioxins and PCBs in order to guarantee a widespread implementation throughout the 
EU.   
In addition the project will aim to produce and test candidate certified reference materials (CRMs) which will allow food control laboratories to improve 
the quality of their data.
Project Summary: 
'The following techniques will be optimised and tested for the applicability for dioxin analysis:   
   
Detection by bio-analytical methods:   
• CALUX bioassay   
   
Detection by analytical chemical methods:   
• Comprehensive multidimensional Gas Chromatography (GC) – Mass Spectrometry (MS) (GCxGC-MS)   
• GC – Low Resolution MS(/MS) (GC-LRMS/MS)   
• GC – High Resolution MS (GC-HRMS; reference method)   
   
Extraction and clean-up:   
• Microwave Assisted Extraction (MAE)   
• Accelerated Solvent Extraction (ASE)   
• Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE)   
   
The feasibility of production of the following reference materials will be tested:   
• Milk(product)   
• Pork meat   
• Fish   
• Fish Oil   
• Cereal based feed'   
   
(extract from project website)   
   
The project was sub-divided into eight work packages: sampling and preparation; homogeneity and stability studies; optimisation screening techniques; 
interlaboratory sudies; automated extraction and clean-up; validation and standardisation; dissemination and co-ordination
Achieved Objectives:
Product Descriptions:
Additional Information:
Project Resources:
Weblink:
http://www.dioxins.nl/Difference/home_diff/framesetdiff.html
Funding Programme(s): 
Link to Organisations:
Submitted by: EUGRIS Team Dr Antony Chapman  Who does what?  14/11/2007 21:30:00