04.21.

2021
BSPHARM-3

QUALITY CONTROL 1-Drug Testing and Assay

Questions and Answers:
1. Define the following:
a) Assay- An assay is an investigative (analytic) procedure for qualitatively assessing
or quantitatively measuring the presence, amount, or functional activity of a target
entity (the analyte).

b) Acidimetry- Acidimetry is a specialized analytical technique used to determine the

strength of an acid. We can use this technique in an acid-base titration to determine
the concentration of a basic or an alkaline substance. However, we need to use a
standard acid solution for this determination. It involves a neutralization reaction.
This type of reaction techniques is useful in volumetric analysis processes.

c) Alkalimetry- Alkalimetry is a special analytical technique we can use to determine

the strength of a base or an alkaline compound. In this technique, we can
determine the concentration of a basic or an alkaline substance if we are using the
reaction in an acid-base titration process. It involves a neutralization reaction.

2. Differentiate Direct Titration Method from Residual Titration Method. When do

we use the Residual Titration Method?
 Difference between Residual Titration (also known as Back Titration) and
Direct Titration
 Definition
 Back Titration: A back titration is a titration method used to determine the
concentration of an unknown using an excess amount of a compound with a
known concentration.
 Direct Titration: A direct titration is the basic titration method that involves the
reaction between the unknown compound and the compound with known
concentration.
 Reactions
 Back Titration: In back titration method, two chemical reactions occur.
 Direct Titration: In direct titration method, one chemical reaction occurs.
 Titration
 Back Titration: In back titrations, the titration is done between two known
compounds.
 Direct Titration: In direct titrations, the titration is done between a known
compound and an unknown compound.
 Titrant
 Back Titration: The titrant of the back titration is the remaining amount of the
reagent added in excess.
 Direct Titration: The titrant of the direct titration is the unknown compound.
 Applications
 Back Titration: Back titrations are used to determine the exact endpoint when
there are sharp color changes.
 Direct Titration: Direct titrations are used when the endpoint of the titration can
easily be obtained.

When Is a Back Titration Used?

A back titration is used when the molar concentration of an excess reactant is known,
but the need exists to determine the strength or concentration of an analyte.
Back titration is typically applied in acid-base titrations:
 When the acid or (more commonly) base is an insoluble salt (e.g., calcium
carbonate)
 When direct titration endpoint would be hard to discern (e.g., weak acid and
weak base titration)
 When the reaction occurs very slowly

3. In tabular form, compare and contrast Assay of NaHCO3 and assay of Zinc
oxide
ANALYTE Primary
Type of Type of Secondary
Indicator standard
analysis titration Standard
/Titrant
Assay of -Direct
NaHCO3 titration
None because it’s
a direct titration

assay of -a type of Excess of sulfuric

Zinc oxide 1N back titration acid is added to the
Acidimetric methyl or Residual reaction mixture
Sulfuric
analysis orange TS titration and excess of acid
acid
because its is back titrated with
reaction with Sodium Hydroxide
sulfuric acid as the secondary
is slow. standard