BigPatents India

Nitrite and Nitrate are the stable end products of nitric oxide. The nitric oxide is often monitored by estimating nitrite and nitrate. Nitrite is most commonly estimated spectro photometrically using acidic Griess reaction (Diazotizatio). Nitrate is estimated similarly after its conversion to nitrite. Several enzymatic and non-enzymatic methods are available for the reduction of nitrate to nitrite. Mongst, Cadmium is a preferred agent for the nitrate reduction because it is easily available, cheaper and has longer shelf life. Furthermore, reduction efficiency of cadmium is comparable to the enzymatic reduction. However, the cadmium has to be coated with copper every time and must be utilized immediately. This technique is time consuming and very less number of samples can be processed at one time. Besides, the requirements of the cadmium per assay are very high resulting in the problems of safe disposal. To overcome the above problems, we have formulated an alloy consisting Copper (10% w/w) and Cadmium. The filings of this alloy can efficiently reduce nitrate to nitrite after activation with hydrochloric acid. It is required in relatively small quantities (0.154g per test), can be easily removed, recycled several times and stored at 2-8 degreeC for longer periods after activation. Besides, number of transfers can be minimized because the alloys filings, proteins and other interfering substances in the assay system were removed simultaneously after nitrate reduction. Further, this method of nitrate reduction is rapid and inexpensive.