|
A Research Paper On The Analysis Of The Levels Of Nitrate In Homemade Brews, Spirits, In Water And Raw Materials In Nairobi County
[Full Text]
AUTHOR(S)
Masime Jeremiah O, Wanjau Ruth, Murungi Jane, Onindo Charles
KEYWORDS
Key Words: Nitrate, UV-Visible Spectroscopy, Brews, Spirits, Raw materials
ABSTRACT
Abstract: Increased cases of deaths as a result of taking home made brews/spirits have been a major concern in our country. Recently, many lives have been lost due to the ignorance of the brewers and their patrons. This study was carried out to determine the levels of nitrate in home - made brews, home - made spirits, raw materials and water. Four hundred and forty (440) home - made alcoholic beverages, one hundred and ten (110) water and eighteen (18) raw materials samples obtained from various parts of Nairobi slums and its environs were analyzed for nitrate. UV-visible Spectrophotometry was used in the research. Some samples contained analyte values above limits set. The concentrations of nitrate varied from non detectable (ND) to 46.3 ± 1.404 mg/l. The recommended maximum contamination levels set by KEBS/WHO for nitrate in alcohols is nitrate 50 mg/l. Most of the home made brews and spirits analyzed in this study had values slightly lower than the levels recommended by the World Health Organization. Values of nitrate were observed to be generally high in the brews/spirits and the raw materials used. The raw materials may have contributed in elevating the levels of these pollutants in the brews. These findings are therefore useful since they provide a justified cause for the Kenyan Government to fight the selling of local alcoholic beverages.
REFERENCES
[1]. Brain, M. (2000); “Nitrite, Nitrate” CHEC’s Health House, htt:www.checnet.org/healthhouse/chemicals, September, 2007, Pgs 1-4.
[2]. Chitlange, S. (2007); Introduction to Validation of Analytical Methods, Anonymous, Pgs 1-7
[3]. David, R. (2000); “Alcohol Deaths Reflect Desperate Conditions in Kenya” http://www.wsws.org, 24th November, 2004.
[4]. Dirk W., Kerstin S., Fotis K., Thomas K., Eva – Maria S. and Jurgen R. (2011); “Is Contaminated Unrecorded Alcohol a Health Problem in The European Union?” A Review of Existing and Methodological Outline for Future Studies, Addiction Review, Society for the Study of Addiction, Addiction. 106 (Suppl.1), Pgs 20-30.
[5]. James, W. (2004); “Uganda’s Home Brew Hit”, BBC.
[6]. Kawashima, M. and Soares, V.(2003); Mineral profile of Raw and Cooked Leafy Vegetables Consumed in Southern Brazil” J. Food Composition Analysis, 2003 16: Pgs 605-611.
[7]. KEBS (2007b); “Drinking Water – specification”, Kenya standard, KS 459-1: 2007, Third Edition, Pgs 1-7
[8]. Narayana, B. and Sunil, L. (2009); “A spectrophotometric method for the Determination of Nitrite and Nitrate”, Eurasian Journal of Analytical Chemistry 4(2): 204-214, 2009, Pgs 204-214.
[9]. Nguyo, J. (2006); (Unpublished), Assessment of Anthropogenic Activities on The Levels of Some Anions and Organic Matters in Mathare, Githuru Drainage Basin, Msc Thesis, Kenyatta University, Pgs 82-91.
[10]. Nielsen, S., Kuehen, C. and Mueller, B. (2010); “Water Quality Monitoring Records for Estimating Tap Water Arsenic and Nitrate: a Validation Study”, BioMed Central Ltd, Environmental Health 2010, 9:4 dio:10.1186/1476-069X -9 -4, Pgs 1-10.
[11]. Okungu, J. (2010); “How Many People Must be Slided, Killed by Gin” New vision Uganda’s leading website, An African perspective, May 20th 2010.
[12]. Rodriguez, A.,Bohn, H and Johnson,G. (1971); “Acute Yellow-Phosphate Poisoning”, New England J. MED. 284, http://www/health village.com, 2.,August 1989, Pg 1.
[13]. Santos, E., Lauria, C. and Porto Da Sileria, L. (2004); “Assessment of Daily intake of Trace Elements Due to Consumption of Food Stuff by Adults in Habitants of Rio De Janeiro City, Science Total Environment 327: 2004. Pgs 69-79.
[14]. WHO (1978); “Technology for Water Supply and Sanitation In Developing Countries”, WHO, 1st Edition, Pg 23.
[15]. WHO (1997); “European Standards for Drinking Water”, 2nd Edition, World Health Organisation, Geneva.
|
