A non-diazotization-coupling reaction-based colorimetric determination of nitrite in tap water and milk

A non-diazotization-coupling reaction-based colorimetric method was developed and validated for the determination of nitrite in tap water and milk samples. Under acidic condition, nitrite could selectively react with pyrrole, resulting in the emerging of a new absorption peak at 509 nm and a distinct color change from clear to red, with which the concentration of nitrite can be determined indirectly. Excellent linear range was achieved from 0.72 to 40.0 mu mol L-1 with a detection limit of 0.22 mu mol L-1. The detection limit was lower than or comparable to most of the recently published methods. The experimental conditions were optimized, and effects of coexisting substances were evaluated, and the results showed excellent priority since a certain amount of other anions, including SO3 (-), SeO3 (-) and other acid radicals, would not interfere with the measurement. We highlighted the simplicity and efficiency of this method as no diazotization-coupling procedure and toxic aniline were involved. Determination of nitrite in tap water and milk samples was performed.