Analysis of Volatile Compounds in Khadi (an Unrecorded Alcohol Beverage) from Botswana by Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detection (GC-FID)

Chemical analysis of volatile compounds fromkhadi, an unrecorded alcoholic beverage fromBotswana, was carried out using gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC–FID). Ten samples of khadi from two different locations were analyzed. All samples had pH values in the range of 2.87–3.16. Overall the samples contained ethanol, higher alcohols and esters. Ethanol was observed to be the dominant volatile compound with concentrations ranging from 1.66–5.71 % vol.  Other volatiles determined were 2-methyl-1-propanol (9.12–29.0 mg L–1) and 2/3-methyl-1-butanol (14.5–124.7 mg L–1), ethyl lactate (27.4–110.9 mg L–1) and ethyl acetate (28.3–48.5 mg L–1).KEYWORDS: Unrecorded alcohols, volatiles, ethanol, gas chromatography

Extraction of Pesticides from Plants using Solid Phase Microextraction and QuEChERS

A study employing dispersive solid phase extraction in the formof the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe (QuEChERS) method and solid phase microextraction (SPME) for the cleanup of pesticides in plant samples from the Okavango Delta (Botswana) is presented. Concentration levels of aldrin, 1,1-dichloro-2,4-bis[chlorophenyl]ethane (DDD), 1,1-dichloro- 2,2-bis[p-chlorophenyl]ethylene(DDE), 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis[p-chlorophenyl]ethane (DDT), dieldrin, endosulfan and endrin were investigated using gas chromatography with electron capture detection (GC-ECD) and confirmedwith gas chromatography with high resolution time of flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOFMS). Parameters affecting the extraction efficiencies of both techniques were optimized. In the absence of CRMs for the plants under investigation, method validation and evaluation of the extraction efficiencies were achieved through spiking of Nymphaea nouchali (Tswii) leaves at two concentration levels with trichlorobenzene as an internal standard. Recoveries for both SPME and QuEChERS were in the range 61–95 %. The calibration plots were reproducible and linear (R2>0.995) with limits of detection ranging from 0.102 to 1.693 μg L–1 for all the pesticides. The optimal conditions for QuEChERS and SPME were applied to the extraction of pesticides residues from the edible parts (leaves, roots and/ or stems) of Asparagus africanus, Cleome hirta and Nymphaea nouchali plants. No pesticides were detected in the leaves and stems of all the plants studied. Aldrin and endosulfan were detected in the Nymphaea nouchali roots at concentrations of 3–21 μg kg–1 and 5–3 μg kg–1, respectively. Pentachlorobenzene (PCB) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) were also detected but were not quantified.KEYWORDS Gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, pesticide, plant sample, green techniques

Assessing the Effect of Four Types of Direct Mail Messages to Promote the Uptake of Residential Lead Remediation Funds

Objective To examine the efficacy of direct mailing using four types of messaging on promoting the uptake of residential lead remediation (RLR) funds in Lancaster, PA, USA. Study design We designed a quasi-experiment to assess the effect of 4 RLR messages sent to households in Lancaster, PA by direct mail between September and December 2020: a brief flyer (F); a detailed brochure + the flyer (BF); a health infographic + the flyer (IF); and an application form + the flyer (AFF). Methods Mailers were sent to addresses in four census tracts; each census tract received a different message. Both English and Spanish versions were sent. The outcomes were the event rate defined as the number of phone call inquiries received, and the number of applications received. The association between type of messaging and household type (owner-vs renter-occupied) was assessed using a chi square test. Results The event rates for the renter-occupied households were lower than for owner-occupied households, regardless of treatment. The event rates for renter-occupied households in the F, BF, IF and AFF groups were 0.00%, 0.35%, 0.12% and 0.18% respectively compared to 0.93%, 0.45%, 0.86% and 1.32% for homeowners. More applications were received from homeowners, and the event rate of the owner-occupied households was significantly different from that of renter-occupied homes (p-value = 0.001). Conclusions Event rates and applications received were higher for owner-occupied households than they were for renter-occupied households. Direct mailing of RLR information is feasible especially if households at high risk for lead poisoning are targeted