INDIRECT DETERMINATION OF CYCLAMATE BY AN ONLINE CONTINUOUS PRECIPITATION-DISSOLUTION FLOW SYSTEM

A continuous-flow procedure is proposed for the indirect determination of sodium cyclamate by an atomic absorption spectrometric method in a rtificial sweeteners mixtures and soft drinks. Sulfamic group is oxidi zed to sulfate and it is continuously precipited with lead ion in a fl ow manifold. The lead sulfate formed is retained on a filter, washed w ith diluted ethanol and dissolved in ammonium acetate for on-line atom ic absorption determination of lead, the amount of which in the precip itate is proportional to that of cyclamate in the sample. The proposed method allows the determination of sodium cyclamate in the range 1-90 mu g ml(-1) with a relative standard deviation of 3.1% at a rate of c a. 35 samples per h. The 3 sigma detection limit is 0.25 mu g ml(-1). The method is very selective, no compounds normally found in the analy sed samples and other artificial sweeteners had any effect on the dete rmination of cyclamate. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.