Uncertainty Evaluation of Ammonia Determination in Burley Tobacco

The uncertainty of measurement in quantitative analysis of ammonia by continuous-flow analysis method was evaluated following internationally accepted guidelines. The sources of uncertainty associated with the analysis of ammonia were the weighing of sample, the preparation of extracting solution, the addition of extracting solution into the sample, the reproducibility of analysis and the determination of water content in tobacco, etc. In calculating uncertainties, Type A of uncertainty was evaluated by the statistical analysis of a series of observation, and Type B by the information based on supplier's catalogue and/or certificated of calibration. It was shown that the main source of uncertainty was caused by the volume measurement of 1 mL and 2 mL, the purity of ammonia reference material in the preparation of standard solution, the reproducibility of analysis and the determination of water content of tobacco. The uncertainty in the addition of extraction solution, the sample weighing, the volume measurement of 50 mL and 100 mL, and the calibration curve of standard solution contributed relatively little to the overall uncertainty. The expanded uncertainty of ammonia determination in burley tobacco at $95\%$ level of confidence was $0.00997\%$.

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