Ash (analytical chemistry)

One of the components in the proximate analysis of biological materials, consisting mainly of salty, non-organic constituents. Ash is essentially all the compounds that are not considered organic or water. It includes metal salts which are important for processes requiring ions such as Na⁺ (Sodium), K⁺ (Potassium), Ca⁺ (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
*Fructose: 38%
*Glucose: 31%
*Sucrose: 1%
*Water: 17%
*Other sugars: 9% (maltose, melezitose)
*Ash: 0.17%:Source: Sugar Alliance

In this example the Ash would include all the vitamins and minerals in honey.

Also see:
* oxides, e.g. Al₂O₃, CaO, Fe₂O₃, MgO, MnO, P₂O₅, K₂O, SiO₂
* carbonates: Na₂CO₃ (aka soda ash),
* bicarbonates, e.g. NaHCO₃ (aka baking soda),