1. What is Indirect Titration Method or Kjeldahl Method of Titration?

Discuss in not
more than 75 words. (5 points)

Indirect Titration Method or Kjeldahl Method of Titration is a quantitative method of determining

the nitrogen contents in organic as well as inorganic substances like in ammonia and
ammonium. Instead of titrating a substance directly with a standard solution, the Kjeldahl
method undergoes 3 processes or steps. These are digestion, distillation, and titration.

2. Give two (2) specific examples or situations in which the Indirect Method of
Titration or Kjeldahl Method of titration is employed or applied and discuss each
examples in not more than 75 words. (10 points).

Kjeldahl Method is used in identifying the nitrogen contents or protein in food.

The sample of food is heated with conc. H2SO4 and a catalyst to convert nitrogen in food to
ammonium sulfate. The solution is then made alkaline by adding NaOH. The ammonia gas
formed is liberated and will move from digestion flash to receiving flask that contains boric acid.
The nitrogen content is estimated by titration of the ammonium borate formed with standard HCl
or H2SO4, using an indicator to determine the end-point of the reaction.

Kjeldahl Method is used in identifying the nitrogen contents of fertilizer

Nitrogen is a key nutrient in plant fertilizers. It is important in plant growth and plant food
processing. The nitrogen content of it can be analyzed using the Kjeldahl method. A fertilizer
sample is oxidized using strong sulfuric acid. The nitrogen is converted to ammonium ion, then
to ammonia gas. The ammonia gas that is distilled and trapped in acid is then titrated by
standard basic solution. The percent of nitrogen can now be calculated.

References:
Abrams, D., Metcalf, D., Hojjatie, M. (2014). Determination of Kjeldahl Nitrogen in Fertilizers by
AOAC Official MethodSM 978.02: Effect of Copper Sulfate as a Catalyst. Retrieved from
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Science Distance. (2003). Kjeldahl Method. Retrieved from

http://www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bc/ahp/SDKC/Chem/SD_KjeldahlMethod.html

Analysis of Proteins. 6.1 Introduction. (n.d). Retrieved from

https://people.umass.edu/~mcclemen/581Proteins.html