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Summary
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) established a Fatty Acids in Human Serum and Plasma Quality Assurance Program (FAQAP) in 2012. The FAQAP conducted two exercises before being incorporated into HAMQAP in 2017. Since the conclusion of HAMQAP in 2021, the FAQAP community will now be served through the ClinQAP.
Description
SRM 2378 Fatty Acids in Human Serum
Interlaboratory comparison studies of the FAQAP focused on the measurement of 24 fatty acids in selected serum and plasma matrices. Frozen or freeze-dried serum or plasma samples were sent to laboratories for analysis together with control materials. Results were returned to NIST for data evaluation and tabulation. Value-assignment of the samples was based on the median of all the laboratory results, with confirmation based on measurement at NIST using one or more different methods. Consultation and troubleshooting regarding methods of analysis were also provided. A report of exercise results was sent to participants that summarized the results from each comparability study.
Major Accomplishments
The FAQAP administered 4 interlaboratory comparison exercises for the measurement of selected fatty acids in human serum and plasma. The comparability of laboratory measurements for target analytes is expected to continue improving over time following the lessons learned through the FAQAP and continued through other NIST QAPs, including the development and promulgation of robust measurement technologies, identification and production of suitable reference materials, isolation and identification of measurement system biases, and support and encouragement of long-term within-laboratory measurement quality control efforts.
Study Reports
Reports for intercomparisons are available as NIST Interagency/Internal Reports (IRs):
- Benner, B., Murray, J. (2019) NIST Fatty Acid Quality Assurance Program 2017 Final Report, NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR) 8273, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD.
- Schantz, M. (2016) Interlaboratory Analytical Comparison Study of Fatty Acid Concentrations in Human Serum- Results for Exercise 03: QA16FASER03, NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR) 8146, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD.
- Schantz, M. (2015) Interlaboratory Analytical Comparison Study of Total Fatty Acid Concentrations in Human Serum: Results for Exercise 02: QA15FASER02, NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR) 8086, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD.
- Schantz, M., Powers, C., Schleicher, R. (2013) Interlaboratory Analytical Comparison Study of Total Fatty Acid Concentrations in Human Serum: Results for Exercise 01: QA12FASER01, NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR) 7953, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD.
RELATED STANDARD REFERENCE MATERIALS
SRM 2378 Fatty Acids in Frozen Human Serum and SRM 3951 Fatty Acid Species in Frozen Human Serum are intended for use in validating methods for determining fatty acids in human serum and qualifying control materials produced in-house and analyzed using those methods. SRM 1950 Metabolites in Frozen Human Plasma is intended for use in validating methods for determining fatty acids and other metabolites in human plasma and qualifying control materials produced in-house and analyzed using those methods. These SRMs may be purchased from the Office of Reference Materials at NIST.