An ion drift-chemical ionization mass spectrometry (ID-CIMS) technique has been developed to detect and quantify trace gases, including volatile organic compounds and inorganic species. The trace species are chemically ionized into positive or negative product ions with a well-controlled ion-molecule reaction time. The ID-CIMS method allows for quantification of the trace gases without the nece...

O fruit production and marketing is a fast-growing niche that is beginning to utilize traditional channels to reach an expanding market segment. As organic production grows and consumer preferences change, marketing practices will evolve. Many California commodities have established government-sponsored and producer-financed marketing programs that cover both organic and conventional production...

Analysis of heavy metals in top soil samples from Nzoia sugarcane farms in Western Kenya found elevated levels of heavy metals in the soils with mean concentrations (mg kg⁻¹ dry weight) of 142.38, 59.12, 73.35, 116.27, 409.84 (dry season) and 144.22, 50.29, 72.14, 158.81, 368.83 (wet season) for Cr, Pb, Cu, Zn and Fe, respectively, compared with a control soil sample from an adjacent field wher...

This paper describes a systematic methodology (Conceptual Framework) to derive quality standards for organic (anthropogenic) contaminants in sewage sludge added to agricultural land, in the context of revision of EU Sludge Directive 86/278/EEC and the broader Soil Thematic Strategy. The overall objective is to ensure, based on a risk assessment approach, a sustainable use of sludge over a long ...

The quantification of trace elements in used lubricating oil is useful for evaluating the wearing of specific components of engines. In the present work, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICPOES) was used for determining five refractory elements (Ni, Mo, Cr, V and Ti) in lubricating-oil samples. The methodology was developed while aiming at the introduction of such organ...

Use of Multivariate Curve Resolution Alternating Least Squares (MCR-ALS) is evaluated in the analysis of nine phenolic acids, both in standards mixture samples and in strawberry juice samples, by liquid chromatography with diode array detection (LC-DAD). Chromatographic coelution problems either because of unknown matrix interferences or because of the increase of organic modifier to reduce chr...

Export banana production in Latin America is pesticide intensive, receiving much negative publicity regarding human health problems and environmental degradation. The Rainforest Alliance (RA) certification scheme was established to certify farms that met a number of social, occupation health and environmental standards set by RA and their certifying body, the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SA...