# Determination of citrate content in specialty paper based on headspace gas chromatography

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a reliable and efficient method to measure citrate content in specialty paper using gas chromatography.

## Contribution

A novel HS-GC method for citrate determination in paper is developed and validated for accuracy and precision.

## Key findings

- The method achieved a relative standard deviation of ≤3.00%.
- Recovery rates ranged from 91% to 102%, showing high accuracy.
- Optimized parameters include equilibrium time, temperature, and injection volume.

## Abstract

A method for determining citrate content in specialty paper using headspace gas chromatography (HS-GC) is proposed. This method is based on the reaction between sodium citrate and potassium permanganate under acidic conditions, which generates CO2. The CO2 is detected by a thermal conductivity detector and the sodium citrate content is calculated using a standard curve. Optimization of the method was conducted by investigating various parameters, including gas chromatography conditions, equilibrium time, equilibrium temperature, and injection volume. The method’s accuracy and precision were assessed through method validation. The results demonstrated that the relative standard deviation (RSD) was ≤3.00%, and the recovery rate ranged from 91% to 102%, indicating good reliability and accuracy. This method is simple, rapid, and precise, making it an effective approach for the determination of citrate content in specialty paper.