Measuring nitrate concentrations in leafy green vegetables

Leafy green vegetables such as lettuce, Asian greens, and spinach can accumulate high concentrations of nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N), which are potentially harmful if consumed by humans. Measuring NO3-N concentration in plant tissue requires sophisticated equipment and trained technicians and can be time-consuming, expensive, and impractical outside of a laboratory setting. Researchers undertook a study to determine if rapid, less-expensive methods can substitute for traditional procedures.