Nitrate analysis using the nitrate ion selective electrode in vegetables and its comparison with ion chromatography

Abstract

The nitrate ion selective electrode has been utilized in the determination of nitrate in vegetables. The only pretreatment of the vegetable extracts was to pass them through the anion exchange cartridge prior to nitrate determination using the ion selective electrode (ISE). Nitrate contents in these extracts were also determined by ion chromatography (IC). Both results agreed well in most vegetables except those rich in organic acids or carbohydrates. The ISE method is superior in the time required for an IC determination, so it is especially useful for rapid nitrate determinations in a large number of restricted vegetables.