Humic acid assay

What are humic acids?

Humic acids are complex organic substances resulting from the natural decomposition of plant matter (lignin, cellulose, etc.). They are part of the humic fraction of organic matter, along with fulvic acids and humin. Rich in functional groups (carboxyls, phenols), they play an active role in nutrient retention, soil structure, and the mobilization of mineral elements.

Present naturally in soils, composts and peats, they are also industrially extracted for use in agricultural or veterinary formulations.

Why measure humic acids?

Humic acid analysis allows for the quantification of its concentration in organic products and the evaluation of their effectiveness. This analysis is essential for:

• Ensuring the quality of organic amendments or biostimulants
• Compare the humic content of different raw materials (lignite, compost, etc.)
• Monitoring the regulatory compliance of fertilizers and humic extracts
• Optimizing formulations for poor or stressed soils
• Validate the effectiveness of natural substances with chelating or detoxifying effects

In the context of agroecological transition, traceability and standardization of organic products are becoming major issues for manufacturers and distributors.

Which matrices can be analyzed?

Humic acid analysis is applicable to numerous matrices from agriculture, the environment, or industry:

• Organic soil amendments (composts, peats, treated plant matter)
• Liquid or concentrated humic extracts
• Organo-mineral or 100% natural fertilizers
• Additives for animal nutrition (as a chelating agent or toxin binder)
• Technical products based on lignite, leonardite or stabilized humus

What are the assay methods used?

The determination of humic acids relies on several analytical techniques combining extraction, separation, and quantification:

• Alkaline extraction (NaOH or KOH): allows the isolation of the humic fraction by selective solubilization
• Acid-base separation: distinction between humic acids (precipitate at acidic pH) and fulvic acids (remain in solution)
• Gravimetry: weighing of the precipitated humic fraction after acid treatment
• UV-Visible Spectrophotometry: measurement of absorbance at wavelengths characteristic of aromatic groups
• Standardized methods: such as those recommended by the International Humic Substances Society (IHSS) or certain ISO/AFNOR standards in agriculture

The choice of method depends on the type of product, the expected accuracy, and the level of certification required for the results.

YesWeLab: your partner for humic acid analysis

At YesWeLab, we connect you with rigorously selected laboratories specializing in agricultural and environmental analysis. Our partners are ISO 17025 certified and/or COFRAC accredited, guaranteeing reliable, traceable, and usable results for regulatory or commercial purposes.

Our scientific team works with you to identify the most suitable methods for your samples, assists you in interpreting the results, and can provide you with comprehensive technical reports that can be integrated into your approval or marketing documentation.

Thanks to our digital platform, you can centralize your requests, track your analyses in real time and retrieve your results with ease, whether you are a manufacturer, distributor or agricultural supply consultant.

Need a reliable and standardized humic acid assay?

YesWeLab assists you in analyzing your organic formulations, fertilizers, or humic extracts.
Contact our team today for a personalized quote or to discuss your specific humic substance characterization needs.