Potassium bromate, as an additive of flour, was widely used in flour production. It has two functions, one for white-rich, the other for paste ferment, which can make the bread softer and more beautiful. However, the scientists from Japan, Britain and America have found that potassium bromate is a human carcinogen, which will be harmful to humans' nerve center, blood and kidney if superfluous bromate is used according to the experiments done several years ago. Recently, according to the results of the danger evaluation of potassium bromate, the Ministry of Public Health of P.R.C decides to cancel the use of potassium bromate as the flour treat-reagent in the wheat flour on July 1st, 2005.

Using CIC-D120 ion chromatograph ,3.6 mM Na₂CO₃ eluent and  bipolar pulse conductance method,under the recommended chromatographic conditions, the chromatogram is as follows.