Determination of Nitrite Content in Hot Dogs

Objective
The content of nitrites in hot dog samples will be calculated by using
spectroscopy. A series of serial dilutions will be made containing a known amount of
nitrite samples, and the absorbance of them will be read at 510nm. A standard
curve will be created with the absorbency readings of the known samples, and the
unknown amount of nitrite in the hot dogs can be calculated by comparing it to the
known samples on the standard curve.
Method

Hot Dogs
Deionised Water
10 ppm Nitrite Solution (NO2-)
Marshalls Reagent
800mL Beaker
Hot Plate
Blender
205mL Beaker
Glass Stirring Rod
Top Loading Balance
7 250mL Erlenmeyer Flasks
6 100mL Volumetric Flasks
5mL Pipette
25mL Pipette
Spectrophotometer
8 Cuvettes
Buchner Funnel

For a fully detailed laboratory report, please refer to; Chemistry II (CHEM 2131)
Laboratory Manual, experiment #7: Determination of Nitrite Content in Hot Dogs,
pages 46-50.

Observations/Calculations

Absorbence of Nitrite Samples

0.8
0.7
0.6
0.5

Absorbency 0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0

0.5

1.5

2.5

Concentration (ppm)

Figure 1: Standard Curve showing the absorbencies of nitrite samples of different

concentrations.
Serial Dilution Calculations:
1) C1V1 = C2V2
(10ppm)(V1) = (0)(100mL)
V1 = (0)(100mL) / (10ppm)
V1 = 0mL
2) C1V1 = C2V2
(10ppm)(V1) = (0.5ppm)(100mL)
V1 = 5mL
3) C1V1 = C2V2
(10ppm)(V1) = (1.0ppm)(100mL)
V1 = 10mL
4) C1V1 = C2V2
(10ppm)(V1) = (1.5ppm)(100mL)
V1 = 15mL
5) C1V1 = C2V2
(10ppm)(V1) = (2.0ppm)(100mL)
V1 = 20mL
6) C1V1 = C2V2
(10ppm)(V1) = (2.5ppm)(100mL)
V1 = 25mL
Unknown Samples Absorbency Readings = (0.404 + 0.329)/2

= 0.367
Questions:
1) Nitrites are added to meat as a preservative, to avoid the growth of a
bacteria that leads to botulism, and to give the meat a reddish-pink colour.
2) If a person ingests excessive amounts of nitrites, they can become
asphyxiated because the nitrites reacts with the hemoglobin in your blood,
thus not allowing the transportation of oxygen molecules through the body.
3) It is important to have a small amount of nitrites in meat in order to avoid the
growth of the bacteria responsible for botulism.
4) Moles CaCl2 = (M)(L)
= (0.090M)(0.5L)
= 0.045 moles
Grams of CaCl2 = (0.045 moles)(111g/mole)
= 4.995g
= 5.0g
Therefore, 5.0g of CaCl2 would need to be added in order to make 500mL of a
0.090M solution.
CaCl2 Ca2+ + 2ClMoles of CaCl2 = Moles of Cl
1/0.045 = 2/x
x = (0.045) (2)
= 0.09 moles Cl
Grams of Cl = (0.09moles) (35.45g/mole)
= 3.19g
Therefore, 3.19g of Chlorine ions would be added to make 500mL of a 0.090M
solution of CaCl2.
Discussion
The wavelengths vary from each known and unknown nitrite sample. As the
ppm increases, the absorbency increases, meaning that the amount of light at
510nm being absorbed is increasing through the sample. The lower the ppm, the
lower the absorbance, which means not a lot of light passing through the sample is
being absorbed, it just gets transmitted. The average of the two absorbance
readings of the unknown samples is 0.367. By comparing this amount with the
standard curve and locating the point at which the x and y axis meet, the
concentration of nitrite in the unknown solution can be estimated. Since the

average absorbance was 0.367, the concentration of the unknown sample can be
assumed as around 1.3ppm.
Conclusion
From the comparison of the known samples on the standard curve, the
unknown nitrite sample in the hot dogs can be assumed as around a concentration
of 1.3ppm.