Detection of nitrate in potatoes, vegetables and fruits with QUANTOFIX® Nitrate/Nitrite
   
Background
Potatoes, vegetables and fruits are an important part of humans’ basic food in many parts of the world. Every day people consume them in great quantities.
Nitrate is a nitrogen compound which accumulates through the use of fertilizers.
Above the concentration of 200 mg per kilogramme potatoes develop a  poor taste and  bad stocking features. Often potatoes become wet rot through a reduction of cell stability.
Experts recommend to consume potatoes, vegetables and fruits  with low concentrations of nitrate. The transformation of nitrate to nitrite through the influence of proteins may produce nitrosamines which are carcinogenic.

Test procedure for potatoes
Cut a potato and introduce one QUANTOFIX® Nitrate test strip. Then press the two halves together, so that the test strip comes in good contact with the potato.
Remove the test strip from the potato after a few seconds. Wait for 60 seconds and compare the test strip with the color scale. A red-violet coloration of the test strip indicates the presence of nitrate. 

Test procedure for vegetables and fruits
Cut vegetables and fruits into halves and introduce one QUANTOFIX® Nitrate test strip for a few seconds. Place the test strip on the inside of the fruit, so that the test field absorbs the liquid. Remove the test strip and wait for 60 seconds. Then compare the test field with the color scale on the tube. A red-violet coloration indicates the presence of nitrate.