Comparison of ion-specific electrode and high performance liquid chromatography methods for the determination of iodide in milk

Two methods for the determination of I- in raw and processed milk were examined. A simple ion-specific electrode (ISE) method was compared against a more complex HPLC reference technique. Accuracy and precision were evaluated both within and between the 2 methods. Both methods yielded good recoveries for Ion spiked samples, ranging from 87 to 114% for ISE and 91 to 100% for HPLC. Within-run repeatability and between-run reproducibility were superior with the HPLC method, but were still more than acceptable with the ISE technique. Overall agreement of paired results between ISE and HPLC methods was good (r(2) = 0.85 on raw herd milk; r(2) = 0.84 on processed milk). The ISE method had a significant positive bias relative to the HPLC reference method. Both methods lend themselves well to the measurement of I- in raw or processed milk. Given its relatively low cost and ease of use, the ISE method is well suited as a screening method. The impressive accuracy, precision, selectivity, and limit of detection of the HPLC technique make it an ideal confirmation method.