The estimation of vanadium in plant materials

A method has been proposed whereby microgram quantities of vanadium may be determined in plant materials. The procedure involves the removal of iron by means of a mercury cathode electrolysis, and the separation of manganese with cupferron and titanium with sodium diethyl dithiocarbamate. The final estimation is made with a polarograph whereby quantities of vanadium down to 0.006μg may be measured. Although the process involves several steps, it eliminates all of the interfering metals and achieves considerable sensitivity.