APPLIED ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY

Academic Year 2026/2027 - Teacher: SALVATORE BARRECA

Expected Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and understanding:

The Applied Analytical Chemistry course aims to provide students with the theoretical and practical skills regarding the operating principles of various chemical instruments used in modern food and environmental analysis.

-Ability to apply knowledge and understanding:

The objective is to equip students with skills regarding chemical analysis methods—including their selection and application to solid, liquid, and gaseous samples—as well as the ability to independently evaluate the statistical validity of analytical data.

-Making judgments:

Developing the ability to describe analytical methods, their underlying principles, and sample extraction and purification procedures using appropriate technical language and formal precision, in order to obtain accurate and precise analytical data.

-Communication skills:

Knowing how to use appropriate scientific-technical terminology and symbols to discuss course content, and being able to construct an independent and partly original discussion regarding these topics.

-Learning skills:

Being able to independently process the fundamental concepts (techniques and theoretical models) covered in the course to identify the analytical challenges addressed, and being able to establish logical connections between the various course topics.

Course Structure

Lectures and practical exercises.

Required Prerequisites

Knowledge of the main instrumental techniques, solution equilibria, and the fundamentals of inorganic chemistry.

Attendance of Lessons

In accordance with regulation of CDS

Textbook Information

1. D. A. Skoog, J. J. Leary, Chimica Analitica Strumentale, EdiSES, Napoli, 1995.

2. APAT – IRSA CNR, Metodi analitici per le acque.

3. R. Kellner, J.-M. Mermet, M. Otto, H. M. Widmer, Analytical Chemistry, Wiley-VCH, 1998

4. S.E. Manahan, Chimica Dell’Ambiente, Piccin Editore

5. F.Balestrieri ,D. Marini Metodi di Analisi Chimica dei prodotti alimentari. Monolite editrice

Course Planning

	Subjects	Text References
1	Principles, objectives, and challenges of applied chemical analysis. Sampling and pre-treatment of real solid, liquid, and gaseous matrices. Use of chromatographic, electrochemical, and spectroscopic methods for analyzing various sample types. Calculation of accuracy, repeatability, reproducibility, and precision. Control charts. Method robustness. Recovery yield and matrix effects. Non-parametric tests. Chemical analysis applied to quality control. The water cycle and water supply. Monitoring analytical requirements for water intended for human consumption based on its intended use. Water characteristics, analysis, and reporting of analytical data. Determination of key parameters. Study of the carbon dioxide-bicarbonate-carbonate system and determination of free carbon dioxide. Measurement of temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, and total dissolved solids (fixed residue). Determination of carbonates and bicarbonates; determination of temporary, permanent, and total hardness via complexometry. Determination of sulfates and chlorides. Overview of water potabilization. Determination of residual and free active chlorine: N,N-diethyl-p-phenylenediamine (DPD) method. Determination of fluoride, nitrate, and nitrite ions, total and ammoniacal nitrogen, anionic surfactants, and phosphorus. Assessment of the health status of a water body: DO, BOD, COD, TOC, pesticide pollution, and heavy metal pollution.
2	Laboratory Exercises: Sampling and potentiometric analysis of carbonates. Determination of metals in soils by mineralization and atomic emission spectroscopy. Determination of metals in water via atomic emission spectroscopy. Determination of fats and oils in aqueous solutions. Determination of fatty acids in oils by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and fatty acid profile analysis. Determination of caffeine in beverages via HPLC with spectrophotometric detection.

Learning Assessment

Learning Assessment Procedures

To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, students may request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures based on educational objectives and specific needs. Students can also contact the CInAP (Centro per l’integrazione Attiva e Partecipata — Servizi per le Disabilità e/o DSA) through the referring professor within the department, (https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti)

Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises

Describe an analytical method for the determination of polar organic pollutants in water.

Describe an analytical method for the determination of heavy metals in soil.

Degree Course in

Chemical Sciences