Determination of Nitrite and Nitrate in Meat Products

Abstract A study was initiated on a method for the simultaneous determination of nitrate and nitrite in meat products. Nitrate and nitrite are determined by difference before and after the reduction of nitrate with metallic cadmium. Nitrate is diazotized, coupled with sulfanilic acid and 1-naphthol, and measured. From 93 to 95% of nitrate and nitrite added to meat can be recovered, and nitrate and nitrite do not interfere with each other in the determination. Ruggedness tests were satisfactory, and the method should be studied collaboratively.