determining plant bound silica with hydrofluoric acid - (Aug/04/2006 )

Hi,

is there any alternative for determining the silica content of biological material (from plants) than using hydrofluoric acid protocols? I hate working with it (although I've never done it) and want to avoid this experience. Is e.g. nitrohydrochloric acid working?
Thanks

Hobglobin

QUOTE (hobglobin @ Aug 4 2006, 09:33 AM)

Hi,

is there any alternative for determining the silica content of biological material (from plants) than using hydrofluoric acid protocols? I hate working with it (although I've never done it) and want to avoid this experience. Is e.g. nitrohydrochloric acid working?
Thanks

Hobglobin

You can look at this reference. May be it useful for you. (using hydro chloric acid instead of hydrofluoric acid protocols-Rasmussen 1984)
Waiting for a new protocol too.