Kjelldalja Method

Kjeldahl method: Determination of nitrogen in organic compounds

The Kjeldahl method, developed by the Danish chemist Johan Kjeldahl in the late 19th century, is an important analytical method for determining the nitrogen content of organic compounds. This method has been widely used in laboratories around the world due to its simplicity and reliability.

Determination of nitrogen content in organic compounds is of great importance in many fields such as food processing, agriculture, pharmaceutical industry and environmental research. The Kjeldahl method allows you to obtain accurate and reliable data on the nitrogen content in samples, which is an important indicator of their quality and composition.

The principle of the Kjeldahl method is based on the conversion of organic nitrogen into ammonia by mineralization of the sample. The essence of the process is as follows: an organic sample is exposed to concentrated sulfuric acid, which leads to the oxidation of nitrogen into nitrates and ammonium. Then the ammonia obtained from under the sample is neutralized with an alkali solution, and the resulting compound is titrated with hydrochloric acid. From the consumption of hydrochloric acid, the amount of nitrogen in the sample can be determined.

The advantages of the Kjeldahl method are its simplicity, accessibility and versatility. It can be applied to the analysis of a wide range of organic compounds, including food, soil, fertilizers, biological samples and other materials. In addition, this method has high accuracy and reproducibility, making it the preferred choice for many laboratory studies.

However, it should be noted that the Kjeldahl method has its limitations. In some cases, especially in the presence of certain special compounds or impurities, it may be necessary to use alternative nitrogen analysis methods. It is also important to note that this method requires some precautions as the mineralization process can release dangerous sulfuric acid fumes.

In conclusion, the Kjeldahl method is a valuable analytical tool for determining the nitrogen content of organic compounds. Its simplicity, accuracy and versatility make it indispensable in many laboratory studies. Despite the limitations associated with some sample types, this method continues to be an important tool for nitrogen analysis and contributes to the development of analytical chemistry and scientific progress in various fields of science and industry.

The Kjeldahl (Kjeldgaard) method for determining the nitrogen content in aqueous solutions is the most common and simple method in chemistry. This method is based on the oxidation of organic compounds to ammonia, which is then used to measure nitrogen content.

The method was developed by the Danish chemist Jacob Jacob Kelda