Analysis of nitrate, nitrite, and [15N]nitrate in biological fluids

A new automated system for the analysis of nitrate via reduction with a high-pressure cadmium column is described. Samples of urine, saliva, deproteinized plasma, gastric juice, and milk can be analyzed for nitrate, nitrite, or both with a lower limit of detection of 1.0 nmol NO3− or NO2−/ml. The system allows quantitative reduction of nitrate and automatically eliminates interference from other compounds normally present in urine and other biological fluids. Analysis rate is 30 samples per hour, with preparation for most samples limited to simple dilution with distilled water. The application of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry for the analysis of 15NO3− in urine after derivatization to 15NO2-benzene is also described.