Blister-colorimetric determination of phosphate ions in water, agricultural samples, and biological samples

Abstract

A procedure was proposed for the determination of phosphate ions in a blister cell (pellet cartridge) with a dry reagent mixture. The procedure is suitable for the quantitative determination of phosphate in different samples using a dry reagent mixture in an ampule or a blister without dissolving the reagents. After an ampule or a blister cell was opened and several drops of a test liquid were added, a color developed, whose intensity was proportional to the concentration of phosphate ions in the solution. The solution was then diluted to 2 mL with water and analyzed by photometry. The composition of the mixture was determined, and the procedure for the quantitative determination of phosphate ions was proposed; the procedure involves the formation and reduction of phosphomolybdic acid and the use of auxiliary reagents. The error of the colorimetric determination of phosphate ions in aqueous solutions, soil extracts, and urine was estimated with the participation of inexperienced operators.