A new, fast and sensitive method for the determination of trace amounts of nitrite using differential pulse polarography

• The limit of detection, LOD, was found as 2 × 10−7 M, for (S/N = 3).
• According to reduction potentials As(III) was found most suitable for the reduction of nitrite l.
• Peak of As (III) is sharp and high, it enables the determination of very low concentrations of nitrite.
• No interference of most common ions was observed.

Nitrite salts of sodium or potassium are being used for the protection of meat products. They provide color and taste of meat and they protect against clostridia. On the other hand, nitrite ions can interact with amines to form nitrosamines which are known as carcinogenic substances. They may also react with hemoglobin and reduce its oxygen carrying capacity. Thus, its concentration in food-stuff has to be controlled carefully by highly sensitive methods.A new DP polarographic method is established for the determination of nitrite. Nitrite cannot be determined directly with any analytical methods. Long and tedious procedures are necessary for many of them. In this polarographic method arsenite, As(III), ion is used for the reduction of nitrite. The nitrite is determined from the As(III) quantity left over after the reaction with nitrite. The peak of arsenite has been used since it is sharp and responds well for the standard addition of arsenite.The optimum conditions for the quantitative reaction between nitrite and arsenite have been studied. It was found that the pH for the reaction medium has to be 5–7, since nitrite is decomposed at lower pH values. The reaction medium has to be stirred for about 5 min with nitrogen gas in order to expel the NO gas formed and thus to shift the equilibrium to products side. The limit of detection, LOD, was found to be as 2 × 10−7 M. No interference was observed from most common ions.