Detection limits in classical multivariate calibration models

This work presents a new approach for calculating multivariate detection limits for the commonly used classical or direct calibration models. The derived estimator, which is in accordance with latest IUPAC recommendations, accounts for the different sources of error related to the calibration and prediction steps. Since the multivariate detection limit for a given analyte is influenced by the presence of other components in the sample, a different detection limit is calculated for each analyte and analysed sample, at the chosen significance levels α and β . The proposed methodology has been experimentally validated by determining four pesticides in water using a FIA method with diode-array detection. The results compare favourably with the ones obtained using previously proposed estimators.