Electrical-conductivity-based Simple Quantitative Evaluation Method for Potassium in Bamboo

A simple quantitative analysis method for the detection of potassium in bamboo has been developed. Phyllostachys edulis from Anan City in Tokushima Prefecture was used in this study. In this method of potassium determination, the electrical conductivity of bamboo was measured after ashing and dissolution in pure water. The optimum bamboo ashing time was determined to be 8 h because the effect of water-soluble or exchangeable phosphorus on the electrical conductivity disappeared after bamboo ashing for ＞8 h and the obtained electrical conductivity was constant. The electrical conductivity and potassium content of various bamboo samples were determined by ICP (Inductively Coupled Plasma) emission spectroscopy and compared. The results showed a significant correlation between them ( p ＜0 . 01 , r 2 ＝0 . 988 ). Moreover, the results indicated that a good calibration curve was obtained for this method. Therefore, the proposed method can be used for the simple analysis of potassium at the field level without the use of expensive analyzers.