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In analytical chemistry, ash is the name given to all non-aqueous residue that remains after a sample is burned, and consist mostly of metal oxides.
Ash is one of the components in the proximate analysis of biological materials, consisting mainly of salty, inorganic constituents. It includes metal salts which are important for processes requiring ions such as Na+ (Sodium), K+ (Potassium), Ca2+ (Calcium). It also includes trace minerals which are required for unique molecules, such as chlorophyll and hemoglobin.
For instance, the analysis of honey shows:
- Typical honey analysis
- Source: Sugar Alliance
In this example the ash would include all the minerals in honey.
Also see:
- oxides, e.g. Al2O3, CaO, Fe2O3, MgO, MnO, P2O5, K2O, SiO2
- carbonates: Na2CO3 (aka soda ash), K2CO3 (aka potash),
- bicarbonates, e.g. NaHCO3 (aka baking soda),
- Sulfates: sulfate ash according to Ph. Eur.
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