Boron is an element that is commonly found in various aspects of the environment. According to the Food Standards Agency of the UK, boron exists in oceans, soils, rocks, plant life and other locations. Boron also occurs to some extent in drinking water, and is present in foods such as nuts, fruits and green vegetables. Although some amount of boron consumption is normal and even necessary, too much boron in the diet or environment may have adverse effects on the nervous system, according to the World Health Organization. The Curcumin Method is a common means of quantifying and analyzing boron.
Identification
Curcumin is one of the major components of the spice turmeric, which is often used in curry. According to Medline Plus, turmeric is also thought to be beneficial in addressing stomach ailments, diarrhea, jaundice, loss of appetite and more. Curcumin is also considered useful in reducing symptoms of rhematoid arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, skin cancer and other conditions. It is not considered a medical cure for any condition.
Function
Curcumin is used to test and analyze boron because it reacts uniquely with this element. According to the World Health Organization, the Curcumin Method in involves the acidification and evaporation of boron-containing water when exposed to curcumin. The outcome of this reaction is a distinctly red byproduct known as rosocyanine. The color of the rosocyanine is then photometrically compared to standard colors, the World Health Organization reports.
Equipment
The Curcumin Method usually requires a colorimetric apparatus to perform the comparison of the rosocyanine and the boron color standards. Also used in this test are evaporating dishes, a water bath, an ion exchange resin to remove calcium and magnesium, 40 mg of ground curcumin, hydrochloric acid, oxalic acid and boron. The World Health Organization notes that evaporation dishes should be uniform in size, shape and material.
Limitations
The Curcumin Method is not a valid means of analysis when the water sample contains more than 20 mg of nitrate. According to the World Health Organization, the presence of excess calcium carbonate in water may also interfere with the Curcumin Method, particularly in terms of color accuracy. "Hard" water with more than 100 mg/l may compromise the color measurement. Color may also be impacted by taking too long in the evaporation process.
Recommendations
The Food Standards Agency notes that over time, excessive amounts of boron through diet or environmnet may lead to infertility in men. However, these results were obtained from animal studies, and subsequent studies of borax minors indicated an increase in conceptions with boron exposure. The Food Standards Agency indicates that you can safely consume 6 mg or less of boron per day.
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