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Analytical Method Validation

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Dr. Deepak
September 1, 2012
 15 Comments

The analytical results you communicate can have far-reaching consequences and can form the basis for taking decision on

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safety of use of commercial products, foods and natural resources in addition to decisions involving legal matters.

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As a responsible analyst before you undertake analysis in the laboratory you should make sure that your results are authentic
and are universally acceptable. This key objective can be realized only if the method selected for the purpose is duly validated.

Analytical method validation establishes documented evidence that the procedure adopted for a
test is fit for the intended purpose in terms of quality, reliability and consistency of results.

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Analytical method validation establishes documented evidence that the procedure adopted for a test is fit for the intended
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In other words, if the same method is adopted in any other laboratory across the world, under the same set of conditions and Newsletter.
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Each and every method requires validation:

Before putting to routine use

When analytical conditions are changed such as change of technique, change in desired concentration range or change of
sample matrix
Whenever changes are made to an existing procedure Recent Post

It is important to collect relevant information on analysis requirements before you plan validation of the procedure How to Read a Chromatogram?

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Components to be detected different…
Expected concentration levels
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Required level of detection and quantification
Ion exchange chromatography –
Nature of sample matrix
Overview
Type of analytical technique to be used
Paper Chromatography – Principle,
Required degree of precision and accuracy
procedure, Applications

Parameters of Method Validation SEE ALL

Before undertaking the method validation procedure, it should be ascertained using reference standards that the response of the
analytical measurement is on account of the analyte of interest and not due to any other chemical species.
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After this has been established, you may proceed with the validation which evaluates the following method-specific features.
Analytical Method Validation
Here are the various method validation parameters.

Selectivity and specificity

Linearity
Range
Accuracy
Precision Our Courses
Limit of quantification
Ruggedness How to Calculate Measurement

Robustness Uncertainty in Chemical Testing

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We shall discuss each of the analytical method validation parameters in detail so that you can better understand analytical Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC)

method validation. Fundamentals of Lab Safety Training

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Selectivity and Specificity
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Selectivity and specificity are often used synonymously but these are different terms. Specificity is the unequivocal response of
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the technique to a specific analyte present in the sample whereas selectivity can be applicable to a collective response to a group
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of analytes having similar chemical and physical characteristics.
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The method selected should meet the criteria for selectivity and sensitivity in presence of deliberately added interferents that can Spectroscopy - CPD Certified

be expected in the sample under investigation. Certificate Course on ISO/IEC

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Selectivity is more frequently used as analytical techniques and is seldom specific to only one analyte. Further, selectivity should Certificate Course on Atomic
not be affected by interfering species such as degradation products, impurities and other matrix components. Absorption Spectroscopy

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Linearity
Training Course

Linearity refers to the ability of analytical procedures to produce results in direct proportion to the concentration range of analyte Certificate Course on High Performance
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in samples within the required concentration levels.
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Linearity should be determined using a minimum of 6 standards whose concentration spans from 80% to 120% of expected
concentration level.
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Linearity report should include slope of line, linear range and correlation coefficient data. Correlation coefficient r should be
greater than or equal to 0.99 in the working range

Range

Operating range is deduced from the calibration plot. It is the interval between the upper and lower concentration of analyte
falling in the linear range. The results corresponding to this range demonstrate acceptable levels of precision, accuracy and
linearity. +78 enrolled

Accuracy Not Enrolled

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Degree to which the determine value of analyte corresponds to the true value.
 Accuracy can vary over the expected concentration range. Course Includes
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It should be determined using a working About US
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 14 Lessons
Accuracy is determined by :
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1. Analyzing a sample of known concentration and comparing with the true value
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2. Spiking a blank (Sample having all components except the analyte) and comparing with the expected result.
3. Standard addition method in which the sample concentration is determined. A known amount of analyte is added and the
concentration is once again determined. The difference of the two concentration values is compared with the actual value of
added analyte.

Accuracy is also defined by the comparison of test results with those obtained using another validated test procedure

Precision

Precision expresses closeness of a series of measurements of the same sample under identical conditions
High degree of precision does not necessarily means a high degree of accuracy
Precision is expressed as variance, standard deviation or as coefficient of variation of a series of measurements
Minimum of five replicate sample determinations should be carried out

Limit of Detection

Lowest amount of an analyte that can be detected but not necessarily quantified
Lowest concentration of calibration standard which produces a peak response corresponding to the analyte should be
measured at least 6 to 10 times. Average response (X) and standard deviation (SD) are required to calculate limit of detection

Limit of detection = X + (3SD)

Signal to noise ratio at limit of detection should be at least 3:1

Signal to noise ratio should be

greater than 3 at limit of detection
and greater than 10 at limit of
quantification

Limit of Quantitation

Lowest amount of the analyte that can be quantitatively determined with defined precision under the stated experimental
conditions
6 – 10 observations should be made for average response and standard deviation

Limit of quantitation = X + (10SD)

Signal to noise ratio should be at least 10:1 at the limit of quantitation

Ruggedness

Ruggedness measures reproducibility of test results under following conditions :

Results generated for same sample under identical conditions by different laboratories
Results generated for sample under identical conditions by different analysts
Same analysis using different instruments
Same analysis under different environmental conditions
Same analysis using test materials from different sources

Robustness

Robustness examines the effect of operational parameters changes on the analytical results

pH
Temperature
Operational conditions such as flow rate, injection volume, detection wavelength or mobile phase composition in
chromatographic analysis

Variation should be deliberate but within realistic range to study the robustness of the method. The results of the analysis after
making the deliberate changes should be within the method’s specified tolerance limits.

Method validation may appear to be a tedious and time-consuming activity but once the method is validated before adoption, it
will not let you down under any circumstances.

What Is the Need for Analytical Method Validation?

Before you plan an analysis of a sample in your laboratory, you should be aware of the essential details of the sample like its
homogeneity, physical state, available quantity and stability.

It is also essential to know the requirements of analysis such as:

Components to be detected and quantified

Expected concentration levels
Nature of the sample matrix. In other words, the nature of interferences that can be present that can complicate the
determination of required components
Required degree of accuracy and precision
Appropriate analytical technique for the analysis
Material and apparatus required for the analysis
Availability of required resources
Cost of analysis

The above considerations require a judicious selection of the method. Let us see what could be those useful reference sources
that you can access. You can consider yourself fortunate if your laboratory has already a validated method available which can
be adopted without applying a second thought. However, this may not be the case every time, and you would feel the need to
search for a suitable method due to the following constraints:

The sample matrix is different from routine samples and requires a different set of extraction procedures or can introduce
different interferences
Non-availability of required reagents or glassware
Non-functional or un-calibrated instruments

In such situations, you will have to look for other alternative methods so you will have to search for the method through the
available options such as:

Standard textbooks
Reference analytical journals
Pub Med
Google search
The more you search, chances are that you may get confused further. Let us assume that after going through the references you
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have zeroed down on a particular method. About US Courses Testimonials Blog   Sign in Sign up

Now comes the important stage of validating the method before it is put into routine use. You have to keep in mind the fact that
the analytical results reported by you can have far-reaching consequences concerning the safety of use of the products, efficacy
of drugs, toxic limits for environmental samples, or verdict on legal matters.

As a responsible analyst, you have to make sure that the data reported by you is reliable and would be accepted universally. Such
objectives can be achieved only by following the rigorous validation process.

Validation becomes necessary:

Before adopting the method in routine use

Whenever there is a requirement of analysis of components in the different sample matrix
Sample analysis requires different analytical procedures

As a regular practice, any method needs to be validated before adoption. However, it would need to be revalidated under the
following situations:

Any changes made in the established procedure

Any new accessory is added to the existing system
The system has undergone major operational problems which have been rectified.

Why Is It Essential to Adopt Validated Analysis Methods?

Analytical chemistry is a science which guides you on how to get the desired information from your sample. The method
validation guidelines provided comprise of

Selection of appropriate technique

Procedure to be followed
Analysis and Interpretation of data
Environmental controls and other precautions to be adopted

You can consider yourself lucky if a validated method meeting your analysis requirements is already available in your laboratory.
Alternately, you will have to identify the appropriate method through a literature search.

Your literature search will be successful if you have clarity on your analysis objectives. The search can be initiated using Internet
search engines or referring to documented sources such as research journals. The next step is to validate the method before
adopting it.

Benefits of Method Validation

Method validation is a practice which can prove to be beneficial in a number of situations such as:

Publication of your findings in international journals of repute or presentation in professional conferences

Instils a degree of self-esteem and confidence in yourself as well as in those who use your results
Acceptance of procedures and results by accreditation bodies and external auditors
Arriving at critical decisions concerning the use of data with regards to the safe use of products by consumers
Freedom from disputes concerning non-agreement of test results with other laboratories

Critical Role of Method Validation in Chemical Analysis

Each and every analysis requires the choice of a method that will help you achieve the required objectives. In case an established
method is available, you should consider yourself fortunate as this will save you the effort and time required to validate the
method before adopting it.

Several options are available to you for the selection of the method to suit your analysis requirements. Such options include a
survey of standard analytical textbooks, research journal publications, Google search, etc.

You will come across several methods in your Google search but this can add to further confusion as the method selected may
not be suitable for your analysis requirements.

In making your method choice, you also have to keep into consideration other factors such as:

Cost of analysis
Availability of required reagents and standards
Availability of required instrumental facilities
Availability of trained manpower
Time requirement for analysis
Simplicity of method

It is essential to keep in mind that the simplest method may not be the ideal one so you have to carefully evaluate the choice
keeping in view the considerations listed above.

Now that you have been introduced to analytical method validation, please feel free to ask any questions you have in the
comments below.

 Categories: Method Validation  

 Tags: Analytical Method Validation, Matrix, The Method, Validation

Dr. Deepak
Dr Deepak Bhanot is a seasoned professional having nearly 30 years expertise beginning from sales and product support of analytical
instruments. After completing his graduation and post graduation from Delhi University and IIT Delhi he went on to Loughborough
University of Technology, UK for doctorate research in analytical chemistry. His mission is to develop training programs on analytical
techniques and share his experiences with broad spectrum of users ranging from professionals engaged in analytical development and
research as well as young enthusiasts fresh from academics who wish to embark upon a career in analytical industry.

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Susanne Richardson
February 17, 2013

Do you have a similar summary for manufacturing a diagnostic based on biologic material ? (ie, process validation of immunoassays
intended as IVDs?).
Thanks!
Susanne

Reply

Dr Saurabh
February 17, 2013

Hi Susanne, we don’t have such a summary ready but we will consider it for the future and keep you posted if we do make it.

Reply

K Vishwanath
February 25, 2013

Please let me know acceptance criteria of Accuracy and Precision determinations.

Thanks

Reply

Dr Saurabh
February 26, 2013

Hi Vishwanath, the acceptance criteria have to be based on the application of your method. USP and other guidelines clearly
state that you have to establish these based on what you will use the method for. You can refer to the IUPAC guidelines for a
table which summarizes the criteria for different ranges of measurement and if you share your exact requirement I might be
able to dig it out for you.

Reply

Swati
March 24, 2013

Please let me know the acceptable range for change in pH, tempearture etc for robustness.

Thanks

Swati

Reply

P.Dharmakkannu
July 27, 2013

Dear,
pH always ± 0.05 to the target and the robustness purpose we can study upto ± 0.1 in the validation. The temperature is based on the
instrument temperature calibration limit. With in the range we need to the robustness test and shall be validated.

Thanks and Regards

Dharmakkannu

Reply

ojo tosin
February 21, 2015

Please, what can can increase in BOD and COD of an effluent treatment plant of a paint industry.
Thanks

Reply
 Dr Saurabh
February 27, 2015
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Hi Ojo, For this you will need to reffer the law and the requirements in your country.

Reply

Dharmendra Panchal
March 21, 2015

I want to learn step by step procedure of analytical method validation and calculation

Reply

Dr. Deepak
March 25, 2015

Dear Dharmendra,
The topic is briefly covered in the certificate programmes but we do have plans to provide an elaborate treatment through a
dedicated programme on the topic which we shall roll out sometime in future.

Reply

Malgas
May 5, 2015

Kindly help me on the application or use of HPLC in various fields/ industries (eg mining, agriculture, pharmacitical etc ) where analytical
chemistry is applied. please

Reply

Dr. Deepak
May 5, 2015

Hello Malgas,
I would recommend our Certificate Course on HPLC to you as it would meet your requirements. It is an online programme
and you would be able to complete it as per your convenience.On completion you would be eligible for our certificate as
well.Please go to the site for joining details.

Reply

Prakash
January 10, 2017

Which concentration can be used for HPLC method validation of drug product either label claim or COA?

Reply

Dr Saurabh
January 16, 2017

Hi, the concentrations are used based on the claim.

Reply

online translate
October 12, 2023

Great introduction to analytical method validation! I’m looking forward to reading more.

Reply

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