Quantitative Determination of Oxalic Acid Using Victoria Blue B Based on a Catalytic Kinetic Spectrophotometric Method

A sensitive catalytic method is developed for the spectrophotometric determination of oxalic acid. The procedure is based on the effect of oxalate on the oxidation of Victoria blue B by dichromate in dilute sulfuric acid medium. The reaction is quantitatively estimated by measuring the decrease in absorbance of Victoria blue B at the maximum wavelength of 610nm after quenching the reaction with tap water. The factors effecting the sensitivity and reproducibility of the reaction were studied. The method is not interfered with by foreign species generally associated with oxalate and oxalic acid. The described method is simple, specific, inexpensive and suitable for oxalic acid concentrations of between 0.06 and 9.0µgmL^–1. It was validated with satisfactory results by determining oxalic acid content in water extracts from plant materials such as spinach and Lathyrus sativus.