The present invention concerns a method for preparing artificial sputum, comprising the following steps: Step (A) preparing an aqueous solution or dispersion of nutrients and Step (B) adding non-human mucin to the aqueous solution or dispersion obtained in step (A) such that the concentration of mucin is in the range of 6 to 18 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the artificial sputum, and the viscosity of the artificial sputum is in a range of 30 to 480 mPa·s. In addition, the present invention also concerns artificial sputum obtainable by said method and its use in quality assessment, validation, verification and quality control of analytic assays on sputum.
