nitrate

nitrate /ni·trate/ (ni´trat) any salt of nitric acid; organic nitrates are used in the treatment of angina pectoris.

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ni·trate (ntrt, -trt)

n.

1. The univalent radical NO₃.

2. A compound containing such a radical, such as a salt or ester of nitric acid.

v.

To treat with nitric acid or a nitrate, usually to change an organic compound into a nitrate.

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nitrate

any salt of nitric acid. High intakes by animals may occur when they eat large quantities of lush herbage that has been heavily fertilized with a nitrogen fertilizer such as potassium or ammonium nitrate. It can also occur after a long drought during which nitrification bacteria accumulate large amounts of nitrate in the soil and the first growth after the drought breaks may also be toxic.

Pigs fed on food residues may ingest potassium nitrate used in meat curing when their swill contains butcher's residues.

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nitrate explosives

nitroglycerin and others used to blast out water holes and left in the hole may cause subsequent nitrate poisoning.

nitrate poisoning

unusual unless animals get access to unguarded fertilizer or butcher shop residue containing potassium nitrate. Causes gastroenteritis with diarrhea and vomiting. Long-term, low level intake thought to cause abortion in cattle. Chief importance is as a constituent of ruminant diet and its conversion in the rumen to nitrite causing nitrite poisoning.

nitrate reduction test

a biochemical reaction used in the identification of bacteria, particularly mycobacteria. It is based on the reduction of nitrate to nitrite and/or the release of nitrogen gas.