August 26, 2026

DEADLINE:  Friday, February 26, 2027

Characterization of Molecular Weight Distribution in Dairy Protein Hydrolysates

AOAC INTERNATIONAL (AOAC) invites method developers to submit methods for First Action consideration and possible evaluation through the AOACOfficial MethodsSM program. Prospective methods must meet the minimum Standard Method Performance Requirements (SMPRs®) for Characterization of Molecular Weight Distribution in Dairy Protein Hydrolysates outlined in AOAC SMPR® 2026.004 and can utilize any analytical technique that meets method performance requirements. 

Formatted methods and manuscripts must be submitted by Friday, February 26, 2027. For formatting guidelines, please see below. 

Validation studies must utilize the AOAC Dairy Protein Hydrolysates (DPH) Validation Materials Kit, developed in collaboration with NIST, which includes samples DPH01–DPH14 listed in Table 1 of AOAC SMPR® 2026.004. These materials must be included in the validation of corresponding mandatory representative matrix subcategories, as available. Method developers are encouraged to complement their validation with additional secondary and supplementary matrices. To request an AOAC DPH Validation Materials Kit, please contact [email protected]. The kit is provided at no cost; however, method developers are responsible for all shipping and handling charges. 

Method Eligibility 

An eligible method must meet the various parameters outlined in the SMPR® and must be reliable, repeatable, and ultimately reproducible when used by trained analysts. Reference the SMPR® for definitions and the proposed method validation requirements for parameters, such as limit of quantification, recovery, repeatability, reproducibility, system suitability, and reference materials. Any method that meets the performance requirements is acceptable. 

Interested method developers must provide their method and accompanying validation set (at minimum a single laboratory validation study) demonstrating that the method can meet the performance requirements. If accepted, method authors will have 2 years to complete a multi laboratory validation study. 

AOAC Method Submission Requirements and Deadlines 

  • Candidate methods must be submitted in Official Methods of Analysis of AOAC INTERNATIONAL (OMA) format, AOAC Formatting Guidelines. NO EXCEPTIONS. 
  • The story of how and why the candidate method must be submitted as a manuscript in Journal of AOAC INTERNATIONAL(JAOAC) research article format, NO EXCEPTIONS. 
  • Method validation data, statistical analysis, and safety checklist must also be included for submission and review.  
  • If you need assistance putting your method or data into the correct format, AOAC provides a formatting consulting service for a fee, please contact Science Programs for more information. 
  • Full single laboratory validation is the minimum requirement at this stage (for First Action consideration for chemistry methods), followed by a reproducibility study within 2 years, if accepted, for Final Action consideration. 
  • Method application fees are waived for methods submitted prior to the deadline in response to this Call. 
  • Methods and manuscripts must be submitted by Friday, February 26, 2027 

Submitting a Method 

  • For assistance, please contact [email protected] with “Method Submission Question” in the subject line.