Humic acid dosage

What are humic acids?

Humic acids are complex organic substances resulting from the natural degradation of plant matter (lignin, cellulose, etc.). They are part of the humic fraction of organic matter, alongside 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.

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

Why measure humic acids?

Humic acid measurement allows us to quantify their concentration in organic products and assess their effectiveness. This analysis is essential for:

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

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

What matrices can be analyzed?

Humic acid analysis applies to many matrices from agriculture, the environment or industry:

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

What are the dosage methods used?

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

• Alkaline extraction (NaOH or KOH): allows the humic fraction to be isolated by selective solubilization
• Acid-base separation: distinction between humic acids (precipitates 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 within a regulatory or commercial framework.

Our scientific team will work with you to identify the methods best suited to your samples, assist you in reading the results and can provide you with comprehensive technical reports that can be incorporated into your approval or marketing applications.

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 dosage?

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.