A new concept for the analytical application of persulfate oxidation in alkaline media is presented: The persulfate oxidation of organic compounds has been utilized to determine their nitrogen content. The ammonia formed in the oxidation coupled distillation was measured acidimetrically with an accuracy of ± 0.5 % (rel.). The applicability of the method proposed is shown in the determination of the organically bound nitrogen content of numerous model substances as well as industrial and natural matrices: vinasse, aluminate liquor, white- and soy-bean samples, eggprotein.