Title: Preparation of a standard operating procedure for validation of labratory methods for trace metal analysis in seafood for National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA), Sri Lanka

Fisheries are important in Sri Lanka as a food sector as well as an export sector. The main export fish species is yellowfin tuna and main markets are Japan, EU countries and the USA. Yellowfin tuna and swordfish are high in the aquatic food web, therefore accumulation of trace metals can occur. The export goods quality and safety should comply with the WTO, national, regional and international food standards. The food testing laboratories have a very critical role for this purpose. So that the analytical and calibration laboratory follows the accreditation procedure, international regulations like ISO/IEC 17025 and method validation is important required. The analytical chemical laboratory NARA is in the process of accrediting their chemical analysis range and method validation is one of the lacking factors. The objective of this project is to develop a standard operation procedure (SOP) for the method validation, then using mercury analysis in fish as a case study to test the SOP. The SOP is prepared base on the IUPAC, EURACHEM and ICH guideline. In the SOP parameters for method validation are acquired i.e. specificity, selectivity, precision, accuracy, linearity and range, limit of detection, limit of quantification, robustness/ruggedness, and uncertainty. Mercury analysis in fish using a cold vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy (CV-AAS) was used as a case study for the applicability of the SOP developed. The results showed that the method validation characters were within acceptance range and suitable for analysis up to 5 ppm level with uncertainty of ± 21%.