ESTIMATION OF POTASSIUM IN BANANA SAMPLE BY

FLAME EMISSION SPECTROPHOTOMETER

Submitted by: Sadia Rahat

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

FLAME EMISSION SPECTROMETRY ............................................................................................................... 3

PROBLEM ...................................................................................................................................................... 4
APPLICATION OF FES ..................................................................................................................................... 4
POTASSIUM (K+) ............................................................................................................................................ 4
NATURAL OCCURRENCE............................................................................................................................ 4
PERMISSIBLE STANDARDS OF POTASSIUM ................................................................................................... 5
PRINCIPLE ...................................................................................................................................................... 5
STOCK SOLUTION-1000ppm KCl ............................................................................................................... 6
PROCEDURE .................................................................................................................................................. 6
STANDARD SOLUTIONS ................................................................................................................................. 7
CALCULATIONS .......................................................................................................................................... 8
RESULT ...................................................................................................................................................... 9
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF POTASSIUM ................................................................................................ 9
HEALTH IMPACTS OF POTASSIUM .............................................................................................................. 10
REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................................ 11

SAMPLE BY USING FLAME EMISSION SPECTROPHOTOMETER

ESTIMATION OF POTASSIUM IN BANANA

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FLAME EMISSION SPECTROMETRY

In flame emission spectrometry, the sample solution is nebulized (converted into a fine aerosol)
and introduced into the flame where it is de-solvated, vaporized, and atomized, all in rapid
succession. Subsequently, atoms and molecules are raised to excited states via thermal collisions
with the constituents of the partially burned flame gases. Upon their return to a lower or ground
electronic state, the excited atoms and molecules emit radiation characteristic of the sample
components (Lyra et al., 2010).

The emitted radiation passes through a monochromator that isolates the specific wavelength for
the desired analysis. A photo-detector measures the radiant power of the selected radiation,
which is then amplified and sent to a readout device, meter, recorder, or microcomputer system
(Jamshidi et al., 2011).

Combustion flames provide a means of converting analytes in solution to atoms in the vapor
phase freed of their chemical surroundings. These free atoms are then transformed into excited
electronic states by one of two methods:

1. Absorption of additional thermal energy from the flame.

SAMPLE BY USING FLAME EMISSION SPECTROPHOTOMETER

2. Absorption of radiant energy from an external source of radiation.

ESTIMATION OF POTASSIUM IN BANANA

FES PROCESSING DIAGRAM

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 PROBLEM ESTIMATION OF POTASSIUM IN BANANA SAMPLE BY FLAME EMISSION
SPECTROPHOTOMETER

APPLICATION OF FES
Most applications of FES have been the determination of trace metals, especially in liquid
samples. It should be remembered that FES offers a simple, inexpensive, and sensitive method
for detecting common metals, including the alkali and alkaline earths, as well as several transition
metals such as Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn (Degler et al., 2015).

FES has been extended to include a number of nonmetals: H, B, C, N, P, As, O, S, Se, Te, halogens,
and noble gases. FES detectors for P and S are commercially available for use in gas
chromatography (Juned & Arjun, 2011).

FES has found wide application in agricultural and environmental analysis, industrial analyses of
ferrous metals and alloys as well as glasses and ceramic materials, and clinical analyses of body
fluids. FES can be easily automated to handle a large number of samples. Array detectors
interfaced to a microcomputer system permit simultaneous analyses of several elements in a
single sample (Sirignano et al., 2012).

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POTASSIUM (K+)
Most potassium occurs in the Earth's crust as minerals, such as feldspars and clays. Potassium is
leached from these by weathering, which explains why there is quite a lot of this element in the

ESTIMATION OF POTASSIUM IN BANANA

sea (0.75 g/liter) (Webb, 1939).

Minerals mined for their potassium are pinkish and sylvite, carnallite and alunite. The main
mining area used to be Germany, which had a monopoly of potassium before the World War l
(Jamshidi et al., 2011).

NATURAL OCCURRENCE
Today most potassium minerals come from Canada, USA and Chile. The world production of
potassium ores is about 50 million tons, and reserves are vast (more than 10 billion tons).

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Potassium is a key plant element. Although it is soluble in water, little is lost from undisturbed
soils because as it is released from dead plants and animal excrements, it quickly become strongly
bound to clay particles, and it is retained ready to be re-adsorbed by the roots of other plants
(Thomas et al., 2012).

PERMISSIBLE STANDARDS OF POTASSIUM

PAKISTAN STANDARDS & QUALITY CONTROL AUTHORITY (PSQCA)

DRINKING WATER 10 mg/L

(PSQCA, 2002)

WHO

GROUND WATER (IN COMBINATION OF 300 mg/L

CHLORIDE)
(WHO, 1984)

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CFR - CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS
POTASSIUM IN FOOD IN TERMS OF 3,500 mg
DAILY REFERENCE VALUE
(CFR, 2015)
ESTIMATION OF POTASSIUM IN BANANA

PRINCIPLE
In FES, the sample solution is nebulized and introduced into the flame where it is de-solvated,
vaporized, and atomized, all in rapid succession. Subsequently, atoms and molecules are raised
to excited states. Upon their return to a lower or ground electronic state, the excited atoms and
molecules emit radiation characteristic of the sample components that is measured and recorded
by the photo-detectors (Lyra et al., 2010).

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STOCK SOLUTION-1000ppm KCl
First of all, we carefully took 1.91 g of KCl in 1000 ml flask and make its volume up to the mark
with the help of distilled H2O. In this way, we have prepared a stock solution of 1000 ppm of
potassium chloride.

PROCEDURE
First of all, we carefully took 1.91 g of KCl in 1000 ml flask and make its volume up to the mark
with the help of distilled H2O. In this way, we have prepared a 1000 ppm of potassium
solution. To make 10 ppm potassium solution, we carefully took 10ml of 1000 ppm solution in
100 ml flask and make its volume up to the mark with the help of distilled water.

Similarly, to make 20 ppm potassium solution, take 20 ml of 1000 ppm solution in 100 ml flask
and make its volume up to the mark with the help of distilled water. In the same way, we
prepared standard solutions of 30 ppm, 50 ppm, 60 ppm and 70 ppm standards from stock
solution. After the construction of the seven standards, the unknown solution was made. The
entire banana was weighed (minus the peel), and then 4 grams of it was measured out for
analysis.

This was then crushed using a mortar and pestle with 32ml of water (1:8 dilution) for extraction.

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25ml of HCl was then added to a 25ml aliquot of the diluted banana solution for extraction as
well (1:16 dilution). The solution was shaken vigorously for ten minutes. The solution was then
filtered and diluted 1:62.5. The unknown solutions were then measured along with the
standards to create a calibration curve for determination of potassium content in the
ESTIMATION OF POTASSIUM IN BANANA
unknown solutions.

After these measurements were taken standard addition was then done to account for any
unknown matrix effects. This was done by varying the amounts of 100ppm potassium
standard solution in 100mL volumetric flasks. There were seven flasks, and the first one had
1ml of 100ppm potassium solution, the second had 2ml, the third had 3ml etc.

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Each solution had a constant amount of unknown banana solution added (2ml) and then they
were diluted to the 100 mark. These solutions are referred to as spiked. After making the
solutions for standard addition, they were all run through the FES machine in order to
construct a standard addition curve. This curve was used in conjunction with the calibration
curve to determine the amount of potassium without interference.

Then pass all these standard solution and the sample through FES and note the emission reading
on the display. Through these known concentrations reading, we calibrate out the sample
concentration of sodium.

STANDARD SOLUTIONS
10 ppm
C1V1 = C 2V 2
1000 x V1 = 10 X 100
V1 = 1ml

20 ppm

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C1V1 = C 2V 2
1000 x V1 = 20 X 100
V1 = 2ml
30 ppm
C1V1 = C 2V 2
ESTIMATION OF POTASSIUM IN BANANA
1000 x V1 = 30 X 100
V1 = 3ml
40 ppm
C1V1 = C 2V 2
1000 x V1 = 40 X 100
V1 = 4ml
50 ppm

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 C1V1 = C 2V 2
1000 x V1 = 50 X 100
V1 = 5ml
60 ppm
C1V1 = C 2V 2
1000 x V1 = 60 X 100
V1 = 6ml
70 ppm
C1V1 = C 2V 2
100 x V1 = 7 X 100
V1 = 7ml

CALCULATIONS
CONCENTRATION (ppm) EMISSION

10 0.0142

20 0.0445

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30 0.0877

40 0.1305

50 0.1446
ESTIMATION OF POTASSIUM IN BANANA
60 0.1894

70 0.2238

Sample 0.0347

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RESULT
Hence, the graph shows the concentration of potassium in banana is 14.23ppm or in other words
14.23mg/4g of sample.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF POTASSIUM

Potassium environmental impacts are mainly associated with agronomy, agricultural,

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botanical and other crops related fields.
Together with nitrogen and phosphorous, potassium is one of the essential macro minerals
for plant survival. Its presence is of great importance for soil health, plant growth and animal
nutrition (Juned & Arjun, 2011).
Potassium primary function in the plant is its role in the maintenance of osmotic pressure and ESTIMATION OF POTASSIUM IN BANANA

cell size, thereby influencing photosynthesis and energy production as well as stomata
opening and carbon dioxide supply, plant turgor and translocation of nutrients. As such, the
element is required in relatively large proportions by the growing plant.
The consequences of low potassium levels are apparent in a variety of symptoms: restricted
growth, reduced flowering, lower yields and lower quality produce.

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 High water soluble levels of potassium cause damage to germinating seedlings, inhibits the
uptake of other minerals and reduces the quality of the crop (WWF, 2007).

HEALTH IMPACTS OF POTASSIUM

Potassium can be found in vegetables, fruit, potatoes, meat, bread, milk and nuts (Porra,
1989).
It plays an important role in the physical fluid system of humans and it assists nerve functions.
Potassium, as the ion K+, concentrate inside cells, and 95% of the body's potassium is so
located.
When kidneys of human beings showed some kind of malfunctioning it is the general
indication that there exist a considerable accumulation of potassium. This can lead to
disturbing heartbeats (Willis et al., 1960).
Potassium can affect you when breathed in. Inhalation of dust or mists can irritate the eyes,
nose, and throat, lungs with sneezing, coughing and sore throat.
Higher exposures may cause a buildup of fluid in the lungs, this can cause death. Skin and eye
contact can cause severe burns leading to permanent damage.

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ESTIMATION OF POTASSIUM IN BANANA

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REFERENCES
1. Degler, D., Pereira de Carvalho, H. W., Weimar, U., Barsan, N., Pham, D., Mdler, L., &
Grunwaldt, J.-D. (2015). Structurefunction relationships of conventionally and flame made
Pd-doped sensors studied by X-ray absorption spectroscopy and DC-resistance. Sensors and
Actuators B: Chemical, 219, 315323. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2015.05.012

2. Jamshidi, M., Ghaedi, M., Mortazavi, K., Biareh, M. N., & Soylak, M. (2011). Determination
of some metal ions by flame-AAS after their preconcentration using sodium dodecyl sulfate
coated alumina modified with 2-hydroxy-(3-((1-H-indol 3-yle)phenyl) methyl) 1-H-indol (2-
HIYPMI). Food and Chemical Toxicology, 49(6), 12291234.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2011.02.025

3. Juned, S., & Arjun, B. (2011). Analysis of Chloride , Sodium and Potassium in Groundwater
Samples of Nanded City in Mahabharata , India, 1(1).

4. Lyra, F. H., Carneiro, M. T. W. D., Brando, G. P., Pessoa, H. M., & de Castro, E. V. (2010).
Determination of Na, K, Ca and Mg in biodiesel samples by flame atomic absorption
spectrometry (F AAS) using microemulsion as sample preparation. Microchemical Journal,

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96(1), 180185. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.microc.2010.03.005

5. Porra, R. J. (1989). Determination of accurate extinction coefficients and simultaneous

equations for assaying chlorophylls a and b extracted with four different solvents:
verification of the concentration of chlorophyll standards by atomic absorption ESTIMATION OF POTASSIUM IN BANANA

spectroscopy, 975, 384394.

6. Sayyed Juned, & Arjun, B. (2011). Analysis of Chloride , Sodium and Potassium in
Groundwater Samples of Nanded City in Mahabharata , India, 1(1).

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7. Sirignano, M., Collina, A., Commodo, M., Minutolo, P., & DAnna, A. (2012). Detection of
aromatic hydrocarbons and incipient particles in an opposed-flow flame of ethylene by
spectral and time-resolved laser induced emission spectroscopy. Combustion and Flame,
159(4), 16631669. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.combustflame.2011.11.005

8. Thomas, J. J., Allen, A. J., & Jennings, H. M. (2012). Density and water content of nanoscale
solid C-S-H formed in alkali-activated slag (AAS) paste and implications for chemical
shrinkage. Cement and Concrete Research, 42(2), 377383.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2011.11.003

9. Webb, D. a. (1939). The Sodium and Potassium Content of Sea Water. J. Exp. Biol., 16(2),
178183. Retrieved from http://jeb.biologists.org/content/16/2/178.short

10. Willis, B., Russell, J., Shelton, J. P., & Walsh, A. (1960). The determination of metals in blood
serum by atomic absorption, 10, 551558.

11. WWF. (2007). NATIONAL SURFACE WATER CLASSIFICATION CRITARIA AND IRRIGATION
WATER QUALITY GUIDELINES FOR PAKISTAN. FRESH WATER AND TOXIC PROG., 1127.

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ESTIMATION OF POTASSIUM IN BANANA

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