Determination of very small contents of boron by pH difference measurement

For the determination of boron as a trace element for food of plants in a very complicated salt matrix an analytical proceeding was developed, which allows to determine the content of boron without separation. The principle of analysis is based on the esterification of boric acid with a multivalent alcohol, which leeds to a monovalent strong complex acid. The change of the pH value of the analysing solution is measured. From the initial pH number, the end pH number, the volume of the analysing solution and the ionic product of water corresponding with the operating temperature the quantity of boric acid of boron that is equivalent the produced quantity of H+-ions is calculated by means of a linear program. The standard deviation of analytical proceeding amounts to 13.9 ng B. For the determination of the contents of boron of an unknown sample, five to ten separate measurements are carried out. For solutions, which are about 1x10-6 M of boric acid, there are necessary 10 ml of sample for each separate measurement. The confidence interval of analytical results is found to be between +- 0.5 and +- 15.5% (P=0.99). For the determination of the content of boron in plant materials about 50-100 mg of dry weight are necessary. (Author)