Determination of magnesium in foods by single-sweep polarography

In KOH, the Mg(II)-bromopyrogallol red (BPR) complex produced a very sensitive polarographic wave at -1.30 V. The wave height was linear with the concentration of Mg(II) in the range of 0.05 to 2 microgram/mL. The detection limit was 0.01 microgram/mL. The electrochemical behavior of Mg(II)-BPR was studied by electrochemical and spectrophotometric methods. Experiments proved that the polarographic wave of Mg(II)-BPR was due to the reduction of BPR in the Mg(II)-BPR complex. The method, which was sensitive, selective, and simple to perform, was used to determine magnesium in foods, and the results were consistent with those obtained by atomic absorption spectroscopy.