Abstract: A spectophotometric method on the determination of nitrite in tea was investigated, which is based on the diazotization of nitrite with p-aminobenzene sulfonic acid under acidic conditions then coupled with N-(1-Naphthyl)- ethylenediamine dihydrochloride in forming the colour-producing response. Because of the interference of polyphenols, pigment and ascorbic acid in tea, the optimum operating conditions of measurement was established. The method showed a good analytical characteristics with correlation coefficients of 0.9993, variation coefficient of 4.6%, and recovery was ranging from 72.90% to 86.53%. It is a rapid, accurate, simple method and applicable for the determination of nitrite in tea.

Key words: tea, nitrite, detection