How are detection limits determined?
- Date added:
- Thursday, 05 February 2009
Answer
The method detection limit (MDL) was determined by taking the lowest number of cells in ten replicates which could be detected at least 70% of the time. For example, the average number for Dehalococcoides spp. was 10 cells/sample. Our lower detection limit (LDL) was set at 10x this value (i.e. 100 cells/sample) and our practical quantification limit (PQL) was set at 5x our LDL (500 cells/sample). Quality control samples are also analyzed at LDL concentrations ten times to ensure that it is detected at least 95% of the time.
