Write a laboratory report about the following topic
2. Ash determination
Within
Introduction
Objective
Materials used
Procedure
Results and discussion
Conclusion
Recommendation
Reference
Title: Ash Determination in Organic Samples
Introduction:
Ash determination is a widely used technique in analytical chemistry to determine the total inorganic content present in organic samples after ignition. Ash content determination is important in various fields, including food analysis, pharmaceuticals, environmental analysis, and agricultural products. The objective of this experiment is to determine the ash content in a given organic sample using the dry ashing method.
Objective:
The objective of this experiment is to determine the ash content in a given organic sample using the dry ashing method.
Materials Used:
1. Crucible and lid
2. Analytical balance
3. Muffle furnace
4. Bunsen burner
5. Glass rod
6. Desiccator
7. Tongs
8. Spatula
Procedure:
1. Weigh an empty crucible along with its lid using an analytical balance, and record the weight as "W1."
2. Take a representative sample of the organic material using a spatula and place it in the crucible.
3. Weigh the crucible containing the sample and record the weight as "W2."
4. Place the crucible with the sample in a muffle furnace set at a temperature of 550°C. Allow the sample to burn for 4 hours to ensure complete ashing.
5. Once the sample has been ashed, remove the crucible from the muffle furnace using tongs and place it on a heat-resistant surface to cool.
6. Once the crucible has cooled, place the crucible and its lid in a desiccator to cool further.
7. After cooling, weigh the crucible along with the ashed sample and record the weight as "W3."
Results and Discussion:
Using the recorded weights, the percentage of ash in the organic sample can be calculated using the following equation:
Ash content (%) = [(W3 - W1) / (W2 - W1)] x 100
Conclusion:
In this experiment, the ash content in the given organic sample was determined using the dry ashing method. The ash content was found to be X%, indicating the presence of X% inorganic material in the sample. By knowing the ash content, further analysis of the sample can be carried out more accurately.
Recommendation:
To improve the accuracy of the ash determination, it is recommended to repeat the experiment using multiple replicates. Additionally, it is important to ensure that the crucibles used are thoroughly cleaned and dried before use to prevent any contamination.
References:
1. Skoog, D. A., Holler, F. J., & Crouch, S. R. (2017). Principles of Instrumental Analysis. 7th Edition.
2. AOAC International Official Methods of Analysis: Method 942.05, "Ash of Animal Feed."