A comparison of dry ashing with wet chemical digestion methods for the determination of minerals in plants.
Sukha B. J., Judhan S. A.
Empowering farmers through agricultural research, Volumes 3 & 4. Proceedings of Research Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Marine Resources - Research Seminar Series held at Centeno, Trinidad and Tobago, October, 1998. : 38-50
Abstract : The wet digestion methods employed were nitric acid (HNO3) and a mixture of nitric acid and perchloric acid (HNO3-HCl04). These were compared with each other and with a standard dry ashing procedure. Citrus, mango and anthurium leaf samples were used as well as a standard reference material. The samples were analysed for P, K, Na, Mg, Ca, Zn, Mn and Fe using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry, Flame Photometry and Calorimetry. None of the methods were ideal for the determination of all the elements in the sample. Digestion with the acid mixture (HNO3-HCl04) proved to be the best method, giving high concentration levels, good reproducibility and relatively shorter digestion times. In addition, the method was relatively simple and of reasonably low cost. Digestion with nitric acid was efficient for K and Na determinations. Dry ashing exhibited the greatest dependence on sample type with respect to element content.