FLAME PHOTOMETRIC DETERMINATION OF POTASSIUM (K) AND SODIUM (Na) IN AGRICULTURAL WASTES: BEANS PODS, GROUNDNUTS AND MELON SHELLS.

Abstract

Agricultural wastes are residues from the growing and first of raw agricultural products such as fruit, vegetables, meat, poultry, dairy product and crops. 100 g each of bean’s shields, groundnuts shields and melons shields were randomly collected from five different locations and labeled A, B, C into polythene bags and taken to the laboratory for analyses. The composite of each five collected samples were formed and analyzed. Moisture content of A: 20.03 ± 0.057 %, B: 10.06 ± 0.111 % and C: 17.16 ± 0.058 %; % ash content of A: 12.03 ± 0.021 %, B: 13.06 ± 0.045 %and C: 20.03 ± 0.057 %; % water soluble ash for A: 25.10 ± 0.100, B: 18.01 ± 0.012 and C: 30.00 ± 0.000 while % alkalinity of A: 34.03 ± 0.021, B: 30.00 ± 0.000 and C: 35.16 ± 0.045. Working standard solutions of potassium, K were prepared and emission intensity in triplicates of each was measured: average emission intensity for 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 ppm are 52.86 ± 0.07, 105.76 ± 0.05, 158.73 ± 0.06, 211.56 ± 0.05, 264.46 ± 0.05 respectively and a standard curve for K was plotted. Average emission intensity of K in samples A, B and C solutions were measured as 106.26 ± 0.058, 123.03 ± 0.057 and 134.36 ± 0.058 respectively. These were read up in the K standard curve and extrapolated to determine concentration (ppm) of K in A, B and C: 19.9, 24.5 and 25.7 respectively. On the other hand, working standard solutions of potassium, Na was prepared and emission intensity in triplicates of each was measured: average emission intensity for 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 ppm are 24.06 ± 0.058, 48.16 ± 0.058, 72.26 ± 0.058, 96.36 ± 0.058, 120.46 ± 0.058 respectively and a standard curve for Na was plotted. Average emission intensity of Na in samples A, B and C solutions were measured as 38.58 ± 0.052, 30.17 ± 0.051 and 42.36 ± 0.058 respectively. These were read up in the Na standard curve and extrapolated to determine concentration (ppm) of K in A, B and C: 15.4, 13.5 and 20.0 respectively. The results buttress high emission intensity hence, high concentration (ppm) of K and Na in melon shields followed by groundnut shields and beans shields.