Nitration of benzene as method for determining nitrites and nitrates in meat and meat products.

Nitrites and nitrates in meat and meat products are determined by nitration of benzene in the presence of sulfuric acid. Nitrites are converted to nitrates by permanganate oxidation prior to nitration. The heat of dilution originating from the sulfuric acid is sufficient to complete the reaction. The final product, nitrobenzene, is determined by gas-liquid chromatography and electron capture detection. Peak height quantitation is both accurate and reproducible. Interferences from impurities are rarely encountered, and may be differentiated easily. The method also has potential application to samples other than meat.