Notas de Aplicaciones
29sep/11

ENSAYO DE VINOS / WINE TESTS

J.P SELECTA, HA DISEÑADO UN CRIOTERMOSTATO CON SISTEMA DE REFRIGERACIÓN EN SECO QUE POR EFECTO PELTIER. NO NECESITA AGUA,  LLEVA INCORPORADO UN AGITADOR PARA ASÍ MANTENER LA MUESTRA A ENSAYAR A TEMPERATURA ESTABLE.

CRYOTHERMOSTAT WITH STIRRER FOR WINE TESTS
Tartaric stability measurement of wines by Boulton test

J.P. SELECTA HAS DESIGNED A CRYOTHERMOSTAT WITH DRYING REFRIGERATED SYSTEM THAT DOESN’T NEED WATER DUE TO THE PELTIER EFFECT, AND INCORPORATING A STIRRER IN ORDER TO KEEP THE SAMPLE TO BE TESTED AT A STABLE TEMPERATURE.

 

  

BOULTON TEST
Tartaric stability measurement of wines: It is an analytical essay consisting of a quick precipitation of tartrate crystals, potassium acid, which are supersaturated in the wine.
The wine sample being analyzed is cooled to 0ºC and causes a quick precipitation of crystals by addition of approximately 10g/l of a potassium acid tartrate reagent powder.
The reduction of potassium is followed by a conductometric method.
When supersaturation is reduced to zero, there is no more precipitation and the conductivity value remains constant. Now the sample has the characteristics of a stable wine and this conductivity is the one which has to be taken into account. The conductivity measurement is very easy to do.

OPERATIONAL TECHNIQUE
1. Pour 100ml of the wine sample in the beaker, measured with the probe.
2. Set the stirring rod and place it in the bath over the stirrer.
3. Insert the conductivity cell and the thermometer, if necessary, in the vessel and start stirring.
4. If the conductimeter does not include temperature compensator, check the temperature in order it is stabilized at 0ºC.
5. Then add a gram of potassium acid tartrate and read the conductivity every 2 minutes.
6. Continue with the readings until you check that conductivity is the same for two or three consecutive times.

NOTES
A) The final conductivity value will be the one corresponding to this stabilized wine.This value will be compared with the cold treatment sample to determine the moment when stability is reached.
B) The difference between conductivity before adding bitartrate and final conductivity provides a potential stability measure with respects to bitartrate. In general, if this difference is lower than 5% of initial value, wine is stable; but if it is higher than 5%, wine is unstable.   

Information provided by: Oenology department. Mrs. Valvanera Martínez de Toda Vallilengua – Technical Direction of BODEGAS COSTERS DEL SIO - LLEIDA.
Distributor: SOLTEVI, S.L - Vilafranca del Penedés.
21jun/11

DETERMINACION DE PROTEINAS POR EL METODO DE KJELDAHL / KJELDAHL METHOD FOR PROTEIN DETERMINATION

 

 

Francisco Santiago. Engineering Department.

 INTRODUCTION

 

            The total protein content in food is made up of a complex mixture of proteins. These exist in a combination with carbohydrates or lipids, which may be physical or chemical. Currently, all methods for determining the total protein content of foods are of empirical nature. An absolute method is isolation and direct weighing of the protein but this method is only used occasionally in biochemical research, as it is difficult and not very practical.

            In 1883, the Danish researcher Johann Kjeldahl developed the method currently most used for protein analysis (Kjeldahl method) by organic nitrogen determination. In this technique, proteins and other organic components of food are digested in a mixture with sulfuric acid in the presence of catalysts. The total organic nitrogen is converted by the digestion in ammonium sulfate. The digested mixture is neutralized with a base and distilled later. The distillate is collected in a boric acid solution. Borate anions thus formed are titrated with standarized HCl (or H2SO4) to determine the nitrogen content in the sample.

The analysis result is a good approximation of crude protein content of the food as nitrogen also comes from non-protein components.

Kjeldahl method has undergone several modifications. Originally, potassium permanganate was used to carry out the oxidation process (digestion); however, the results were not satisfactory, so that reagent was discarded. In 1885, Wilforth found that digestion could be speed up by using sulfuric acid and adding a catalyst.  Gunning in 1889 proposed the addition of potassium sulfate, which raises the boiling point of sulfuric acid used in the digestion, in order to reduce the reaction time.

Nowadays, copper sulfate pent hydrated CuSO4.5H2O is mainly used as a catalyst.

 

REACTIONS CARRIED OUT IN THE KJELDAHL METHOD 

DIGESTION

                                                      catalysts→  

(1) n - C -NH2  + mH2SO4                          CO2 + (NH4)2 SO4 + SO2

            Protein                                  heat→

NEUTRALIZATION AND DISTILLATION

 

(2)  (NH2)SO4 + 2 NaOH                        →                     2NH3 + Na2SO4+ 2H2O

(3)  NH3 + H3BO3 (boric acid)                  →                 NH4 + H2BO3-   (borate ion)

TITRATION

 

Borate anion (proportional to the amount of nitrogen) is titrated with standarized HCl (or H2SO4):

(4)    H2BO3- + H+               →                      H3BO3

                                                                              

 

MATERIAL

 

J.P. SELECTA provides the necessary equipment for carrying out the process by the Kjeldahl method.

-       1 electronic burette “Digitrate-Pro 50” of resolution 0.01ml. Part No 0182026

-1 precision analytical balance “FA-2204B” of resolution 0,1mg. Part No. 5830039.

- 1 Digestion unit (Bloc Digest) for 6, 12 and 20 positions. Part No. 4000629, 4000630 and 4000631.

- 1 Scrubber unit. Part No. 4001611

 - 1 Water circulation pump. Part No. 4001612

 

 

- 1 Kjeldahl distiller (Pro Nitro M, S or A). Part No. 4002627, 4002851 and 4002430.

 

 

- Laboratory miscellaneous material.

REAGENTS

Reagents prepared:

It is recommended to use reagents already prepared, specially the titration HCl (or H2SO4). Any error in its preparation may directly affect the determination result.

Use the following reagents, or other equivalent trademarks:

     •      Boric acid (powder) 99.5%                                                PANREAC 141015

     •      Mixed indicator 4.8 (or 5) RV                                PANREAC 283303

            (Methyl Red + Bromocresol Green)

     •      Mixed indicator 4.4 RV                                          PANREAC 282430

            (Methyl Red + Methylene Blue)

     •      HCl 0.1N       SV                                                      PANREAC 171023            

     •      HCl 0.25N     SV                                                      PANREAC 182318

     •      H2SO4 0.1N  SV                                                      PANREAC 181061

     •      H2SO4 0.2N  SV                                                      PANREAC 182011

     •      Sodium hydroxide 40% RE                                  PANREAC 171220

            (For N determination)

     •      Acetanilide 99% (Standard for validation)         PANREAC 151005

     •      Ammonium sulfate (Standard for validation)   PANREAC 131140

     •      Kjeldahl catalyst 6.25% Cu tabl. 8g                    PANREAC 174428

Preparation of ammonia fixative solution.

1.- With mixed indicator 4.8 (or 5):

Prepare the solution of the following formula for 1 litre of fixative solution:

     •      Weight 10g of boric acid (powder).                      PANREAC 141015

     •      Dissolve in 1 litre of distilled water.

     •      Add 15ml of mixed indicator 5.                            PANREAC 283303

2.- With mixed indicator 4.4:

Prepare the solution of the following formula for 1 litre of fixative solution:

     •      Weight 10g of boric acid (powder).                      PANREAC 141015

     •      Dissolve in 1 litre of distilled water.

     •      Add 10ml of mixed indicator 4.4.                         PANREAC 282430

 

PROCEDURE

 

SAMPLE PREPARATION  

•   Triturate, homogenize and mix the sample.

•   Weight between 1 and 2g of sample.

•   In samples with very small nitrogen content, take sample enough to contain at least 5mg of nitrogen.

 

DIGESTION 

•   Add between 10 and 15ml (macro tube) of H2SO4 96-98% and 1 tablet (8 gm) of catalyst (For micro tube, the H2SO4 maximum is 5ml).

•   Build a system for fumes extraction or a scrubber with Na2CO3.

•   Perform the digestion in three steps:

1. Depending on the sample water content, begin digestion by evaporating water at 150ºC during 15-30 minutes.

2.  Make a second step between 270 and 300ºC during 15 or 30 minutes to reduce production of white fumes.

3.  Continue the digestion at 400ºC between 60 and 90 minutes.

 

Some examples:

Cheese or meat:

Step 1: 150ºC / 30’              Step 2: 270ºC / 30’              Step 3: 400ºC / 90’

Cereals:

Step 1: 150ºC / 15’              Step 2: 300ºC / 15’              Step 3: 400ºC / 60’

Visual control: The result is a clear transparent liquid with light blue, green or yellow colour, depending on the catalyst used. There should be no black residues attached to the tube wall.

Note: During digestion, the samples foam production must be controlled. If this is excessive, step 1 should be extended.


DILUTION 

•   Take the sample tubes out of the digestor block and let them cool at ambient temperature (this could be forced by carefully immersing the tubes in a little water).

•   Add about 25ml of distilled water on each tube.

•   Add the water slowly and shaking the tube in order not to solidify the sample. If necessary, heat slightly the tube (for example, by inserting it in the digestor block still hot).

•   Cool again until it arrives at ambient temperature.

•   To prevent nitrogen losses and violent reactions, do not insert the tube still hot in the distiller.

DISTILLATION 

•   Place a 250ml Erlenmeyer flask at the coolant outlet with 50ml of boric acid and some drops of indicator.

•   Program a dosage of NaOH from 50 to 75ml.

•   Insert the sample tube in the distiller.

•   Distillate it to collect 250ml in the Erlenmeyer flask (50ml boric + 200ml distilled).

Visual control: Once added the NaOH, the sample must have a bluish colour. If not, please add more NaOH.

TITRATION AND CALCULATION

•   Titrate the distillate with HCl or H2SO4, until the colour changes (endpoint: pH 4.65)

HCl moles = NH3 moles = N moles in the sample

H2SO4 moles = 2 NH3 moles = 2 N moles in the sample

•   Do the calculation: 

mg N = N x  V   x  14

Where:

 N = Titration acid normality.

 V = Consumed acid volume. 

14 = Nitrogen atomic weight. 

•   To change to protein content, correct it by the appropriate factor according to the sample nature (6.25 by default).

•   Periodically perform a blank test and subtract it from the result.

% proteins =    P2    x 100 x F

                         P0

Where:

P2: Nitrogen (mg).

P0: Sample weight (mg).

F:        Protein factor.

(6.25 by default)

Protein factor in some foods:

Almonds                                          5,18

Nuts                                                  5,30

Nuts - peanuts                                5,41

Jelly                                                  5,55

Soya                                                 5,71

Barley, trenches, rye                      5.83

Wheat, whole flour                         5,83

Flours (not whole ones)                5,70

Rice                                                  5,95

Corn                                                  6,25

The rest of foods                             6,25

Saved                                               6,31

Milk and milky products                 6,38 

 

VERIFICATION OF RECOVERY WITH AMMONIUM SULFATE

This verification is widely used to certify the distiller operation.

You have to prepare a sample whose nitrogen content is known. Then distil, titrate with HCl 0.25N and calculate the detected nitrogen.

The nitrogen percentage detected on the sample is called nitrogen recovery.

Prepare the sample:

Nitrogen content of an ammonium sulfate sample:

Formula: (NH4)2 SO4

Molecular weight: 132.14

Factor: 14 * 2 / 132.14 = 0.212

mg of nitrogen = 0.212 * mg of ammonium sulfate.

•   Weight about 100mg of ammonium sulfate. The exact weight will be P0.

•   Nitrogen exact weight is:  

P1 (mg) = P0 x 0,212

•   Distil by adding 25ml of NaOH.

•   Once distilled and titrated, we get the detected nitrogen (mg): P2 

P2 = N x V x 14

Where:

 N = Titration acid normality (HCl 0.25).

 V = Consumed acid volume.  

14 = Nitrogen atomic weight. 

•   Calculate the recovery:

R (%) = P2 / P1 *100

•   An acceptable recovery is between 99.5 and 100.5 %.

If we use HCl of different normality, prepare samples:

Normality                  Ammonium sulfate samples

0,05                             20... 40mg

0,1                                     40... 90mg

0,25                             100… 200mg

0,5                              200… 400mg

VERIFICATION OF RECOVERY WITH ACETANILIDE

This verification is widely used to certify the complete process operation of the Kjeldahl nitrogen analysis, which includes digestion, distillation and titration stages.

You have to prepare a sample whose nitrogen content is known. Then digest, distil, titrate and calculate the detected nitrogen.

The nitrogen percentage detected on the sample is called nitrogen recovery.

Acetanilide is used to do this verification.

Prepare the sample:

Nitrogen content of an acetanilide sample:

Formula: C8H9NO

Molecular weight: 135.17

Factor: 14 / 135.17 = 0.1035

mg of nitrogen = 0.1035 * mg of acetanilide.

•   Weight about 250mg of acetanilide. The exact weight will be P0.

•   Nitrogen exact weight is:                     

P1 (mg) = P0 x 0,1035

Sample digestion:

•   Place the acetanilide in the tube, add 10ml of 98% sulfuric acid and a Kjeldahl catalyst tablet.

•   Digest at 400ºC for 1h (The result must be a transparent liquid with blue colour).

•   Cool and add 25ml of distilled water on each tube. Take care to avoid spillage. Water reaction over sulfuric acid is violent.

Distillate:

•   Distil by adding 75ml of NaOH. Use HCI 0.25N for titration.

•   Once distilled and titrated, we get the detected nitrogen (mg): P2 

Where:

 N = Titration acid normality (HCl 0.25).

 V = Consumed acid volume.  

14 = Nitrogen atomic weight. 

P2 = N x V x 14

•   Calculate the recovery:                        

R (%) = P2 / P1 *100

•   An acceptable recovery is between 99.5 and 100.5 %.

ERROR FONTS

The main error fonts are:

During the digestion process:

1.- The inclusion of non-protein nitrogen (although the amount of this nitrogen is usually negligible compared with the protein nitrogen one).

2.- Nitrogen loss during digestion:

An excess of sodium or potassium sulfate added to the acid to raise the boiling point may produce decomposition by the heat and therefore a loss of nitrogen.

On the other hand, the catalyst excess (generally copper) may also produce nitrogen loss.

3.- Sample incomplete digestion:

It is usually due to a lack of reaction time or sulfuric acid.

During distillation:

1.- Incomplete neutralization of digested mixture. It is necessary to add enough NaOH to neutralize the sulfuric acid excess resulting from the digestion as well as to transform the entire ammonium formed in the ammonia digestion.

2.- Ammonia loss due to leaks in the distillation circuit.

3.- Ammonia loss due to insufficient cooling in the condenser.

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

A.O.A.C. 1980.  Association of Official Agricultural Chemists.  Official Methods of Analysis. Washington, D.C.

Nielsen, S.S. 1994.  Introduction to the Chemical Analysis of Foods. Ed. Jones and Bartlett Publishers. U.S.A. pp 209-212.

Ranganna, S. 1977.  Manual of Analysis of Fruit and Vegetable Products.  Ed. McGraw-Hill Publishing Co. Ltd. New Delhi.

Yeshajahu P. & Meloan C.E. 1987.  Food Analysis. Theory and Practice. 2on Ed. AVI U.S.A. pp 753-758.

29abr/11

INCUBATOR CO2

 

Las incubadoras de CO2 son uno de los elementos básicos para laboratorios de investigación que trabajen en el área de biología celular.

Tanto en trabajos de ciencias biológicas tradicionales para el cultivo anaerobio de células y tejidos, en biología molecular como en los campos emergentes y de rápido crecimiento como son los de las células madres, la fertilización in vitro, los nuevos productos farmacéuticos, en oncología, etc, las incubadoras de CO2 son una gran herramienta de trabajo que permite facilitar y acelerar la obtención de resultados.

Para satisfacer las necesidades más exigentes de cualquier laboratorio avanzado, J.P. Selecta fabrica las incubadoras INCUBATOR CO2, las cuales cumplen con los requerimientos del segmento medio-alto del mercado, tanto por su fiabilidad y durabilidad como por su precisión y facilidad de programación.

La incubadora INCUBATOR CO2 cumple con la norma DIN 12880 Clase 3.1 de seguridad incluyendo un segundo controlador independiente de sobre temperatura, indicador de desvío de consigna de CO2, indicación de puerta abierta, de falta de presión de CO2 y de falta de energía eléctrica.

También incorpora las últimas tecnologías como la monitorización de CO2 mediante sensor de infrarrojos, control total por microprocesador, programación y manejo por un único monomando en concordancia con una amplia pantalla alfanumérica interactiva con el usuario.

Puede controlarse externamente a través de un ordenador, permite también grabar los procesos en un “pen-drive” mediante acoplarle el accesorio especial de conexión USB como también imprimirlos con la impresora que se le puede instalar opcionalmente.

Incluye esterilización de la cámara, y dispone de doble puerta, una interior de cristal reforzado y con junta de silicona, y la exterior con sistema de calefacción para evitar condensaciones sobre la de vidrio.
El grado de humedad se mantiene constante, del orden del 98% producido por la evaporación del agua de la cubeta interior. Además, dispone de un completísimo sistema de ALARMAS. Estas están tipificadas de la siguiente manera:

- Puerta abierta durante más de 20 segundos.
- La temperatura de la cámara de incubación supera la temperatura de   alarma prefijada por el usuario durante más de 7 minutos.
- La presión del suministro de CO2 baja durante más de 20 segundos.
- El valor de la concentración de CO2 medida supera el máximo prefijado  por el usuario. Cierre la válvula de CO2.
- La temperatura de la cámara inferior se encuentra al valor mínimo pro  gramado.
- El valor de la concentración de CO2 medida es inferior al mínimo prefija  do por el usuario.
- La válvula de CO2 abierta durante más de 7 minutos ininterrumpidamente.
- Diferencia entre las dos sondas superior a 2ºC durante más de 5 minutos.

Características Técnicas

- Cuerpo de acero esmaltado al horno en epoxi.

- Aislamiento térmico alrededor de la cámara útil.

- Cámara interior de acero inoxidable.

- Puerta interior de vidrio templado con junta de silicona.

- Puerta exterior en acero con cierre magnético y calefacción.

- Toma de CO2 en la parte posterior para tubo de Ø 6 y 4 mm con micro  filtro.

- Toma de muestra frontal para analizar la concentración de CO2.

- Conexión RS232

- Grado de humedad controlada al 98% H.R.

- Control y programación por monomando.

- Pantalla LCD alfanumérica de 2x40.

- Control digital por microprocesador de la temperatura y del CO2.

- Rango de temperatura desde ambiente +5ºC a 50ºC.

- Estabilidad ±0.2ºC a 37ºC.

- Homogeneidad ±0.5ºC a 37ºC.

- Resolución: 0.1ºC

- Rango de alarma: desde ambiente +5ºC hasta 50ºC.

- Rango de CO2 del 0 al 20%.

- Estabilidad del CO2: ±0.3%

- Resolución del CO2: 0.1%

- Capacidad 150L. con 9 guías para bandejas.

- Medidas exteriores: 95cm alto x 65cm ancho x 73cm fondo.

- Medidas interiores:65cm alto x 50cm ancho x 46cm fondo.

- Peso: 110 Kg.

- Consumo eléctrico: 800 W.

Departamento de ingenieria de J.P Selecta.

INCUBATORS FOR ANAEROBIC CELL AND TISSUE CULTURES “INCUBATOR CO2” 

CO2 Incubators are one of the basic elements of any research laboratory working in the area of cell biology.

Recently, its use is increasing due to the work increase in specific areas.

CO2 Incubators are a great working tool that can facilitate and accelerate the delivery of results, either in traditional biologic science jobs for growing anaerobic cell and tissue cultures, in molecular biology and also in emerging and rapid growth fields such as stem cells, vitro fertilization, new pharmaceuticals, oncology, etc.

To meet the most demanding needs of any advanced laboratory, J.P. Selecta manufactures INCUBATOR CO2 incubators, which comply with the requirements of the upper-medium segment of the market, both for its reliability and durability as for its accuracy and ease of programming.

INCUBATOR CO2 incubator complies with DIN 12880 Class 3.1 Safety standard including a second independent over temperature control, CO2 set point deviation indicator, door open indication, lack of CO2 pressure and lack of power energy.

It also incorporates the latest technologies such as CO2 monitoring by infrared sensor, microprocessor total control, programming and management by a single knob in conjunction with a large alphanumeric display user interactive.

It can be externally controlled via a computer. It also allows processes to be recorded to a “pen-drive” by attaching the optional USB connection accessory and also can be printed with the printer that can be optionally installed.

It includes chamber sterilization, and has a double door, interior reinforced glass with silicone gasket, and outdoor with heating system to prevent condensations on the glass door.

The moisture content remains at a constant 98% RH level, produced by the evaporation of water from the interior cuvette. It also has a very complete alarm system. These alarms are categorized as follows:

- Door open for more than 20 seconds.

- Incubator chamber temperature exceeds the alarm temperature set by the user for more than 7 minutes.

- Low CO2 supply pressure for more than 20 seconds.

- Measured CO2 concentration value exceeds the maximum fixed by the user. Close the CO2 valve.

- Lower chamber temperature exceeds the minimum programmed value.

- Measured CO2 concentration value is lower than the minimum fixed by the user.

- CO2 valve open for more than 7 minutes in interrupted.

- Difference between the two probes higher than 2ºC for more than 5 minutes.

Technical Features

- Steel case coated with epoxy.

- Thermal insulation around the used chamber.

- Inner chamber made of stainless steel.

- Interior door of tempered glass with silicone gasket.

- Heated external steel door with electromagnetic lock.

- CO2 input for Ø 6 and 4 mm tube with microfilter.

- Front sampling to analyze the CO2 concentration.

- RS232 connexion

- Controlled humidity level at 98% H.R.

- Control and programming by a single knob.

- LCD alphanumeric screen of 2x40.

- Temperature and CO2 digital control by microprocessor.

- Temperature range from ambient +5ºC to 50ºC.

- Stability ±0.2ºC to 37ºC.

- Homogeneity ±0.5ºC to 37ºC.

- Resolution: 0.1ºC

- Alarm range: from ambient +5ºC to 50ºC.

- CO2 range from 0 to 20%.

- CO2 stability: ±0.3%

- CO2 resolution: 0.1%

- Capacity 150L. with 9 shelf guides.

- External measures: 95cm height x 65cm width x 73cm depth

- Inner measures:65cm height x 50cm width x 46cm depth

- Weight: 110Kg

- Power consumption: 800W

10dic/10

AUTOCLAVES DE LABORATORIO / LABORATORY AUTOCLAVES

ESTERILIZACIÓN

La esterilización es el proceso mediante el cual se alcanza la destrucción o eliminación de todas las formas de vida microbianas, incluyendo las bacterias y sus estructuras.

Los Autoclaves para laboratorio permiten efectuar una esterilización utilizando vapor de agua a una presión mayor que la atmosférica, acumulando así la temperatura de vapor alcanzando desde los 105ºC hasta 134ºC, según los microorganismos que se pretendan destruir. El vapor penetra en la cámara de esterilización a la presión programada; Al condensarse, libera calor húmedo calentando el material introducido en la misma, de forma simultanea.

STERILIZATION

Sterilization is the process by which destruction or elimination of all forms of microbial life, including bacteria and their structures, is achieved.

Laboratory autoclaves can perform sterilization by using steam at a higher pressure than atmospheric, and thus accumulating the steam temperature and reaching from 105ºC to 134ºC, according to the microorganisms to be destroyed. The steam penetrates the sterilization chamber at the set pressure; when condensating, it releases damp heat and simultaneously heating the material inside.

J.P. SELECTA offers a wide range of desktop, for dentistry and medicine, laboratory autoclaves being able to choose between manual purge, atmospheric or vacuum models, from which we highlight the following laboratory autoclaves:

"PRESOCLAVE II" for capacities of 50 and 80 litres, with electronic temperature, time and atmospheric purge regulation.

"AUTESTER ST DRY PV II" for capacities of 50, 80 and 150 litres, with microprocessor control of processes, drying system and vacuum fractional automatic purge.

This equipment has a RS232 output available for computer parameters printing, USB module for parameters storage and thermal printer with temperature, pressure, time and mode indications.

Only for information, please find below a relation of the different programs used for the different materials to be sterilized:

J.P. Selecta autoclaves meet with the Quality Management System Certificate UNE-EN ISO 9001, AENOR body accredited by ENAC with nº 01/C-SC003 and Safety Standards: EN 61010-1, EN 61010-2-040 and EN 61326.

Archivado en: Autoclaves / Autoclaves 1 Comentario
9dic/10

VALIDACION DEL PROCEDIMIENTO DE ANALISIS DE N-KJELDAHL EN AGUAS RESIDUALES / N-KJELDAHL ANALYSIS PROCEDURE VALIDATION IN WASTEWATER

M. Monras, Degree in Chemistry (Institut Quimic de Sarrià);

Lourdes Margarit, Chemical Engineer (IQS), Analytical Chemistry Department;

Mª José Blanco, Quality Management (IQS);

David Pecanins, Quality Department Engineer (J.P. SELECTA, s.a.)

Summary,

In this research, the N-Kjeldahl analysis procedure has been validated in wastewater, in a concentration range between 20 and 1000 mg N/L, including the uncertainty calculation associated with the analysis.

 All the analyses have been carried out with a JP Selecta “Bloc-digest” digestion unit and with a JP Selecta PRONITRO “A” automatic distillation unit.

1. INTRODUCTION

In the food and environmental field, there’s a great interest in the determination of nitrogen content of a sample. In 1883, the Danish chemist Johan Kjeldahl (1849-1900) first introduced to the “Danish Chemical Society” a method for determination known as “Kjeldahl nitrogen”, which provides the organic nitrogen content plus ammoniacal nitrogen of a sample. (1)

 From this date, the Kjeldahl method has been the subject of an ongoing study in the analytical chemistry field and has been optimized in the three stages in which it is based: (2)

 1. Sample digestion in acid medium: most of the organic and ammoniacal nitrogen to ammonium ion conversion takes place in this stage. The digestion process efficiency has been improved over the years with the addition of inorganic salts, to increase the sulphuric acid boiling point, the use of digestion blocks (introduced in 1970 by the Swedish chemist Roger Moosberg), the digestion time and temperature optimization and the use of different substances as catalysts.

 2. Basification and distillation of the sample: ammonia is released in this stage, which is held in a solution with a known acid amount or with a boric acid solution. Initially, a simple distillation with a stem bath was performed, but now it has been replaced by a steam water distillation, which allows a significant reduction of the analysis time.

 3. Acid-base evaluation: this could be a backward evaluation, if the ammonia released has been collected on an acid solution, or a direct evaluation, if the ammonia released has been collected on a boric acid solution. Initially, the evaluation end point was detected by means of an indicator colour change; later on, the automatic values were introduced with the detection of the evaluation end point by potentiometry.

Today, instrumentation in chemical analysis laboratories tends to automation. Thus, there are some equipments in the market that cover several stages of the Kjeldahl method, making it faster and easier of use, such as JP Selecta PRONITRO “A” automatic distiller.

Kjeldahl method is a reference method for ammoniacal and organic nitrogen determination and it is accepted by major international organizations such as International AOAC, EPA, AACC, AOCS, ISO or USDA. Nowadays, any laboratory working in a quality environment must demonstrate reliability of the data generated. Thus, it is necessary that each laboratory validates the analytical methods used.

2. MATERIALS

 Reagents and Standards:

- Ammonium sulphate standard.

- Acetanilide standard.

- Catalyst mineralization (it is prepared by intimately mixing 0.1g copper sulphate per gram of potassium sulphate).

- Concentrated sulphuric acid.

- Sodium hydroxide solution 40 % (p/v).

- Hydrochloric acid (standard solutions 0.100 N and 0.500 N).

- “Ammonium fixing solution” commercially prepared (composition: 1g of boric acid, 0.75mg of methyl red, 1mg of bromocresol green, 1.5mL of methanol, up to 100 mL with water).

- Deionised water milli-Q quality.

 Samples:

 - Industrial wastewaters.

- Sewage from a comparison between laboratories.

3. EQUIPMENT

 

JP Selecta “Bloc Digest” digestion unit.

Unidad de digestión "Bloc-Digest"

- JP Selecta PRONITRO “A” automatic distiller.

JP Selecta PRONITRO “A” automatic distiller is an equipment which performs nitrogen analysis by Kjeldahl method. This equipment measures out the amount of reagent required for the analysis, makes a steam distillation of the sample from the digestion stage and an on-line evaluation of distillate, automatically detecting the end point by colour change.

The equipment allows a tritant reagent dosage up to 30mL and a concentration selection between 0.01 and 0.50N in increments of 0.01N. Thus, by appropriately selecting the tritant acid concentration, one can determine nitrogen in sample range between 0.5 and 200mg. (3)


4. EXPERIMENTAL METHOD

 

All the analyses in this work have been carried out by using the following methods: (4)

 - Insert in a sample tube, the volume of wastewater for the analysis, 1g of mineralization catalyst and 6mL of concentrated sulphuric acid.

-  Place the sample tube in the digestor block at a temperature slightly above 100ºC during enough time for the water to evaporate.

- Increase the digestor block temperature to approximately 420ºC and maintain it enough time to produce the sample total digestion. When the sample becomes a transparent clear green-blue colour, we consider the digestion has finished.

- Samples are cooled down at room temperature and about 25mL of milli-Q water is added.

- Analyze the sample tube content from the digestion with the JP Selecta PRONITRO “A” automatic distiller, selecting the tritant reagent concentration according to the estimated nitrogen amount in the sample.

5. VALIDATION PROTOCOL (5) (6)

 The above described method validation covers the range from 20 to 1000mg N/L. In order to do this, we work in three concentration levels: low (around 20mg N/L), medium (around 500mg N/L) and high level (around 1000mg N/L).

 The low concentration level (ad1 sample) is daily prepared from acetanilide standard and milli-Q water. Whereas in the medium (ad2 sample) and high levels (ad3 sample) the concentrations are prepared by adding acetanilide standard to the industrial wastewater sample.

 5.1. LINEARITY

The Linearity study is performed with standard solutions of ammonium sulphate.

 The obtained results are presented in tables 1 and 2.

Nominal value
Experimental values
N/ mg (1)
HCl/ mL(2)
N / mg(3)
Recov./%
CV/%
white 0.26 --------- --------- ---------
0.50 2.05 0.50 99.9 1.80
1.00 3.74 0.97 97.5 1.58
2.00 7.27 1.96 98.1 1.05
4.00 14.78 4.07 101.7 1.63
5.00 18.32 5.06 101.2 0.56
6.00 21.83 6.04 100.7 0.57
8.00 29.32 8.14 101.7 0.65

The average values of three consecutive determinations made under the same conditions are shown in each table row.

(1) Amount of nitrogen inserted by means of ammonium sulphate standard solutions.

(2) Amount of tritant reagent used.

(3) Amount of nitrogen derived from experiments in the analysis. This is calculated using the following formula: mg N = (mL HCl used – mL HCl white)*14.007*NHCl

5.2. INTERMEDIATE PRECISION AND RECOVERY

 The intermediate precision and recovery study is performed by analysing, on three different days, the following samples sequence: two whites (one analyzed with HCl 0.02N, while the other with HCl 0.10N), a wastewater sample (since knowing its concentration will allow a later on calculation of recovery in every concentration level), a low concentration level sample (ad1 sample), a medium concentration level sample (ad2 sample) and a high concentration level sample (ad3 sample), getting the following results:

(Press the image to ampliate)

Table 3. Results obtained in three different days.

Below you can find the recovery data analysis obtained according to the concentration level, the analysis day and globally.

 
Low level
(ad1 sample)
Medium level (ad2 sample)
High level
(ad3 sample)
Average
Value
Average/%
97.5 99.0 98.3 98.2
S/%
3.6 1.2 0.8 2.0
CV/%
3.7 1.3 0.8 2.1

Table 4. Statistical parameters according to the concentration level studied.

5.3. QUANTIFICATION LIMIT

 To study the quantification limit, we work with ammonium sulphate standards, tritant reagent HCl 0.02 N and three replicates are made. Results obtained are shown in the following table:

Nominal value
Experimental values
N/ mg
HCl/ mL
N / mg
Recov./%
CV/%
white 0.26 --------- --------- ---------
0.1 0.59 0.09 90.6 11.71
0.2 0.91 0.18 90.6 4.09
0.5 2.05 0.50 99.9 1.80

Table 5. Results obtained for the equipment quantification limit determination.

 From these data we conclude that the equipment quantifies with a satisfactory accuracy and precision from 0.5mg of Nitrogen. Bearing in mind that the usual sample volume is 50mL, the equipment quantification limit is set to 10mg N/L.

 When working with samples, the lowest concentration level studied (ad1 sample) has been of 20mg/L, so when using a sample volume of 50 mL, this means that the equipment quantifies around 1 mg N.

 5.4. UNCERTAINTY

From the validation results obtained, uncertainty (u) is calculated associated to analysis, to each concentration level, by using the following formula: (4)

 

(Press the image to ampliate)

Expanded uncertainty (u) is calculated associated to analysis, as U=k*u, with a coverage factor of k=1.96 for a significance level of 95%.

 So, the result of an analysis can be expressed as x ± U*x / 100.

 The following table shows the uncertainty calculation values for each concentration level studied:

Concentration level
u standard /%
u accuracy/%
u precision /%
u/%
U (k=1.96)/%
Low level
0.29 2.48 3.67 4.44 8.7
Medium level
0.29 1.02 1.26 1.65 3.2
High level
0.29 1.74 0.80 1.93 3.8

Table 6.

6. ANALYSIS OF A WASTEWATER

A wastewater sample has been tested from a comparison between laboratories. A couple of blanks and four repetitions of the sample have been tested on the same day and under the same operating conditions, according to the procedure described in paragraph 3, using a sample volume of 50mL and as a tritant reagent HCl 0.05 N, with the results shown below:

Sample
Tritant reagent volume/ mL
 
Concentration/ mgN.L-1
Blank
0.10 --------
Blank
0.08 --------
Replication nº1
1.99 26.61
Replication nº2
1.83 24.37
Replication nº3
1.98 26.47
Replication nº4
1.85 24.65

Table 7. Water analysis results from a comparison between laboratories.

 Then, the results obtained are compared to the results provided in the comparative between laboratories.

 
Results obtained
Result between laboratories (*)
Recov/%
Average/ mgL-1
25.5 27.0 94.4
S/ mgL-1
1.18 3.27  
CV/ %
4.62 12.1  

Table 8.

 (*) Circuit Calitax. Agencia Catalana de l’aigua. October 2002

 According to the uncertainty calculation made in the previous section (low concentration level), the result obtained in this analysis can be expressed as 25.5 ± 2.2 mg N.L-1.

 7. CONCLUSIONS

 1. The equipment provides satisfactory results working with standards in the range between 0.5 and 200 mg of Nitrogen, with recovery values between 97 and 103 %.

 2. The accuracy of the analysis method applied to wastewaters is considered satisfactory, as recoveries between 95 and 102% are obtained.

 3. The method intermediate precision is also considered satisfactory, since we obtain variation coefficient values of recoveries lower than 5% in all cases. It should also be noted that in medium and high concentration levels, these variation coefficient values are lower than 2%.

 4. A result of 25.5 ± 2.2 mg N.L-1 has been obtained in the water analysis from the comparison between laboratories. This range includes the value 27.0 mg N.L-1 considered true.

5. The JP Selecta Automatic Distiller PRONITRO “A” is an easy to use and maintenance equipment, and saves time in Nitrogen determinations by Kjeldahl method.

 8. BIBLIOGRAPHY

 (1) Thiex, N.J., Manson, H., Anderson, S., Persson, Determinacion of crude protein in Animal Feed, Forage, Grain, and Oilseeds by Using Block Digestion with a Copper Catalyst and Steam Distillation into Boric Acid: Collaborative Study, Journal of AOAC International, 85, 2, 309-317 (2002)

 (2) Ogg, Clyde L., Treatise on analytical chemistry: edited by I.M.Kolthoff and Philip J.Elving with the assistance of B.Sandell, Vol x. Part 2. Kjeldahl Method, ………John Wiley and Sons, New York

 (3) JP Selecta, JP Selecta Automatic Distiller PRONITRO “A” Instructions Manual (2006)

 (4) IQS internal procedure.

 (5) Several authors, 2001, Validación de métodos analíticos, AEFI, Barcelona.

 (6) Miller, J.N., Miller, J.C., 2002, Estadística y quimiometría para química analítica, 4th edition, Ed. Prentice Hall, Madrid.

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