1.

Introduction:
Nitrogen is a fundamental element found in organic substances like proteins.The
Kjeldahl method can be used to calculate protein content in a wide range of elements
like wastewater , fossil fuels etc.

This method involves three key stages:

1.Digestion:Organic samples are heated with concentrated sulphuric acid , which leads
to conversion of Nitrogen compounds to Ammonium sulfate.

2.Distillation: The liberated Ammonia from digestion is distilled and collected.

3.Titration: The ammonia collected is then titrated with a standardized solution of

acid, which helps to calculate nitrogen and protein content in the sample.

2. Basic Principle:
The governing principle is that when an organic compound containing Nitrogen is
subjected to heat with concentrated sulphuric acid, Nitrogen is converted into
Ammonium sulphate.Then,the resulting solution is treated with excess alkali and
Ammonia gas liberated which is then absorbed in excess standard acid.The amount of
ammonia is determined by finding out the amount of acid that gets neutralized by back
titration using same alkali.

3. Interference:
Presence of Nitrogen Compounds Other Than the Analyte:
Interfering substances containing nitrogen, such as nitrites and nitrates, can lead to
overestimation of the nitrogen content.

Non-Volatile Organic Compounds:

Some non-volatile organic compounds may not completely convert to ammonia during
digestion, leading to incomplete recovery of nitrogen.

4.Reagents:
 1. Catalyst (e.g., K2SO4 or CuSO4)
2. Sulfuric acid (98% w/w): to digest the sample.
3. 60% NaOH, 10% Na2S2O3 (w/v) in distilled H20 :For the dilution of reagents.
4. 2% boric acid (w/v) in distilled H2O :Used in preparations of solutions.
5. Tashiro indicator
6. 10 N HCl (standard solution):It activates pepsinogen and converts it to the
enzyme pepsin

5.Glassware,apparatus and appliances:

1.Kjeldahl Flask
2.Digestion Apparatus
3.Distillation Apparatus
● Distillation Flask
● Liebig Condenser
● Receiving Flask
4.Burette
5.Titration Apparatus
● Titration Flask
● Burette
● Indicator
6.Heating Source(Hot Plate)
7.Cooling System(Water Bath)

6.Procedure
a) Calibration
b) Measurements
7.Calculation

8.Precision and Bias

9.References

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Arvind_Singh56/post/What_is_the_procedure_to_a
nalyse_total_carbonand_total_nitrogen_of_soil/attachment/
59d6490979197b80779a3a0c/AS%3A469327309742081%401488907758956/
download/kjeldahl.pdf

https://byjus.com/chemistry/kjeldahl-method/
https://conductscience.com/kjeldahl-method-protocol/