ISO 23196 discusses water quality with a focus on calculation of biological equivalence (BEQ) concentrations. ISO 23196 specifies the derivation of biological equivalence (BEQ) concentrations for results of in vitro bioassays which are based on measuring effects on a biological process such as enzyme induction or cellular growth. The concept described in ISO 23196 is used for any biological assay after the proof of its applicability.
To derive BEQ concentrations, the effect on a biological process caused by a sample – i.e., the activity of the sample – is expressed in terms of a concentration of a reference compound which results in an equivalent effect on the process.
ISO 23196 on biological equivalence (BEQ) concentrations is useful for:
The biological activity of a sample is expressed in terms of a concentration of a reference compound which affects a biological process to the same extent. By this means, BEQ concentrations allow an indirect quantification of results and a comparison of results obtained by different laboratories.
The term "sample" used in ISO 23196 addresses environmental samples as well as defined mixtures and pure compounds used as test items in a bioassay. BEQ concentrations can be derived for environmental water samples, extracts of environmental water samples including tap water or solutions of pure chemicals or mixtures of chemicals.
ISO 23196 helps with accurate calculation of biological equivalence (BEQ) concentrations.
ISO 23196