The Preparation and Standardization of EDTA/Determination of

Calcium in Milk
Objective
The standardization of EDTA will be done by titrating the solution into a milk
and a magnesium solution. The amount of EDTA that is titrated into both solutions
will allow for the determination of the molarity of EDTA as well as the determination
of calcium, in ppm, in milk.
Method

Eriochrome T Indicator
pH 10 Buffer
0.01M Mg2+ (Magnesium) solution
Milk
0.01M EDTA Solution (Etylenediaminetetraacetic acid)
0.5M KCl (Potassium Chloride)
Hydroxynapthol Blue indicator
Deionised Water
Burette
10mL Pipette
25mL Pipette
3 Erlenmeyer Flasks
Top Loading Balance

For a fully detailed laboratory procedure, please refer to Chemistry II (CHEM

2131) Laboratory Manual, pages 23-25, Experiment #4: Preparation and
Standardization of EDTA and Determination of Calcium in Milk.
Observations/Calculations
Magnesium Titrations
1) Molarity of EDTA (M) = Volume Magnesium (L) x Molarity Magnesium (M) /
Titre of EDTA
= (0.025L x 0.01M) / 0.027L
= 0.0093M

2) Molarity of EDTA (M) = (0.025L x 0.01M) / 0.028L

= 0.0089M

3) Molarity of EDTA (M) = (0.025L x 0.01M) / 0.03L

= 0.0083M
Average Molarity of all three solutions = 0.0083M + 0.0089M + 0.0093M
= 0.0265 / 3
= 0.009M
Milk Titrations
1) Moles EDTA = Titre of EDTA (L) x Molarity of EDTA (M)
= 0.03338L x 0.009M
= 0.0003 moles
Moles of EDTA = moles of Calcium
Ppm Ca2+ = (moles calcium x molar mass of calcium / 10) x 10 6
= (0.0003 moles x 40.078g/mol / 10) x 10 6
= 1202.34
2) Moles EDTA = 0.03448L x 0.009M
= 0.0003 moles
Moles of EDTA = Moles of Calcium
Ppm Ca2+ = 1202.34
3) Moles EDTA = 0.03412L x 0.009M
= 0.00031 moles
Moles of EDTA = Moles of Calcium
Ppm Ca2+ = 1230.72
Average ppm for all three titrations = 1202.34 + 1202.34 + 1230.72
= 3635.4 / 3
= 1211.8
Table 1: The volume of EDTA that was titrated into three different Magnesium
solutions.
Titrations
1
2
3
Blank

Initial Burette
Reading (mL)
0.00
0.20
0.10
0.00

Final Burette
Reading (mL)
30.20
31.40
33.30
3.20

Total Volume
Dispensed (mL)
30.20
31.20
33.20
3.20

Table 2: The volume of EDTA that was titrated into three different milk solutions.
Titrations

Initial Burette
Reading (mL)

Final Burette
Reading (mL)

Total Volume
Dispensed (mL)

1
2
3
Blank

0.12
0.00
0.00
0.00

33.50
34.48
34.12
0.00

33.38
34.48
34.12
0.00

Lab Manual Questions

1) There is roughly 300mg of calcium in 236mL (1 Cup) of skim milk (UCSF,
2002).
2) The results show that the amount of calcium in our samples is much higher
than the expected amount.
3) 1211.8 ppm = 1211.8mg
300 1211.8mg
= -911.8g / 300
= -0.304 x 100%
= -30.4% error
4) C1V1 = C2V2
= (5.5M) (V1) = (0.06M) (250mL)
= (0.06M x 250mL) / 5.5M
V1 = 2.72mL
Therefore, 2.72mL of the 5.5M solution of HCL would have to be added in
order to make a 0.06M solution.
Discussion
The eriochrome t indicator turns red when it reacts with magnesium or
calcium, and once the EDTA solution is added it turns blue. The solution will turn
blue because the magnesium and calcium ions are reacting with the EDTA in
solution to form a colour change. This colour change that occurs is the indication
that the EDTA can stop being added as it has reacted with all the magnesium
and calcium in the solution. Since a colour change occurs, it allows for the
determination of how much EDTA needs to be titrated in order to determine the
molarity of EDTA, and the amount of calcium in milk.
The amount of EDTA that was titrated into the magnesium solution allowed
for the determination of the molarity of EDTA, which is calculated as 0.009M. The
amount of EDTA that was titrated into the milk solutions allowed for the amount
of calcium (in ppm) to be calculated. The average amount of calcium that was
calculated in the titrated milk samples was 1211.8ppm which is the same as
1211.8mg of calcium.

Conclusion

The volume of EDTA that was dispensed into the milk and magnesium
solutions allowed for the molarity of EDTA to be calculated, as well as the amount of
calcium in milk. The molarity of the EDTA solution was calculated as 0.009M and the
amount of calcium in milk, in ppm, was calculated to be 1211.8 ppm.

Reference

UCSF Medical Centre, (2002), retrieved on February 9, 2015, from

http://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/calcium_content_of_selected_foods/