Pre- versus post-column oxidation liquid chromatography fluorescence detection of paralytic shellfish toxins

Both pre- and post-column oxidation liquid chromatography methods with fluorescence detection are available for detecting paralytic shellfish toxins. Each method has been evaluated in multiple laboratories and validated as a potential alternative to the mouse bioassay. This communication compares the advantages and limitations of both methods. For a given laboratory, the selection of either method may be based primarily on practicality and less on any deficiencies in scientific merit.