The control of nitrilotriacetic acid in edetic acid and its salts by liquid chromatography.

Two liquid chromatographic methods have been developed and validated for the determination of nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) in edetic acid (EDTA) and its salts. In one method NTA and EDTA are separated on a polymer column without pretreatment, and are detected amperometrically using a glassy-carbon electrode. In the other method NTA and EDTA are complexed with ferric ions and the complexes separated on a porous graphite carbon stationary phase with ultraviolet detection at 215 nm. Both methods were sufficiently selected and sensitive to allow the control of NTA (0.1% m/m) in sample of EDTA and its salts.