Dithiocarbamates in cherries and peas

The proficiency test evaluates the performances of laboratories with respect to their ability to quantify dithiocarbamates as CS2.

Two test materials and the corresponding blank materials are offered:

• a cherry homogenate, and
• a pea homogenate.

The test materials are prepared with liquid nitrogen. The sophisticated procedure of test material preparation reduces the degradation of dithiocarbamates to the absolute minimum. The test material consists of a powdery ice. Therefore, sub-samples can be taken without thawing the test samples.

Reporting limits of 0.01 mg/kg are required related to dithiocarbamates, expressed as CS2.

The analytical data are assessed with respect to

• the comparability (z-score), and
• the trueness (70 to 120% of the spiked level, if applicable).