Quantification of PSP toxins in toxic shellfish matrices using post-column oxidation liquid chromatography and pre-column oxidation liquid chromatography methods suggests post-column oxidation liquid chromatography as a good monitoring method of choice

•PCOX has advantages to be used for the shellfish matrices under study in this work.•GTX1,4 and dcGTX2,3 give remarkably different results depending on the method.•Matrix interferences have to be taken into account when using PCOX method.•PCOX method was a very good tool for C toxins.

Different shellfish samples were analyzed by Pre- and Post-Column Oxidation Liquid Chromatography to compare the toxins profiles and get information about the degree of accomplishment of both methods. Comparison of the results obtained, the linear correlation coefficient (r2 = 0.94) and the paired t test (two tails, α = 0.05), indicated that there were not significant differences between both sets of data. Nevertheless, important differences related to toxins profiles were found: it was remarkable the difference in results for both Gonyautoxins 1 and 4 and Decarbamoylgonyautoxins 2 and 3, depending on the method of choice, due to an overestimation in the Pre-Column method. It was necessary to modify the elution conditions in the Post-Column method to avoid the interference of matrix peaks at retention times closer to the retention times of the calibrants, mostly when working with oyster and scallop matrices, although it is a good method to use routinely.

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