Fluorimetric nitrite analysis using 2,3-diaminonaphthalene: An improvement of the method

Abstract

One of the fluorimetric methods for nitrite determination is based on the reaction of nitrite ions with 2,3-diaminonaphthalene (DAN) to form fluorescent 1-[H]-naphthotriazole. The procedure is sensitive, simple and rapid. However, the DAN reagent is carcinogenic and its use in a large excess for the reaction might be a drawback for an extensive application. In particular to know if a stoechiometric quantity of the reagent might be sufficient to run the reaction, the method was re-examined. In fact, using the latter condition, it was still possible to get nitrite determination in the range 0 to 50 μg NO2-.L-1, with a rather smaller analysis time.