Applied Biology and Biochemistry

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Applied Biology and Biochemistry

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Browsing Applied Biology and Biochemistry by Author "Brock, Gerome"

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    An Assessment of the Extent of Bovine Milk Pollution by DDT used in Public Health in Zimbabwe
    (Scientia Research Library, 2016) Basopo, N.; Brock, Gerome; Mnkandla, Sanele
    Indoor residual spraying of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) has been widely used in the control of malaria, and has been appreciated for its low cost and high effectiveness. Prolonged use, however, has adverse effects as DDT and its metabolites persist for long in the environment, resulting in human and animal contamination. Contamination in animals such as cattle may result from consuming contaminated water, feed and fodder. The aim of the study was to evaluate the extent of contamination of DDT and its metabolites in cow’s milk from five towns in Zimbabwe. Samples were collected from farms around Bulawayo, Chiredzi, Esigodini, Harare and Mutare with a total of n=24 samples. The pesticide residues were extracted using the quick, easy, cheap, rugged and safe (Quechers®) method and solid phase extraction and analysed using gas chromatography with electron capture detector. Total DDT was detected in all samples at levels higher than the maximum allowable residue limit. Harare and Mutare samples had the highest DDT levels of 0.38 μg/ml and 0.26 μg/ml respectively, as compared with samples from other regions (0.08-0.13 μg/ml). The DDT metabolite residues,1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDD) and 1,1-dichloro- 2,2-bis(p-dichlorodiphenyl)ethylene (DDE), were also detected at varying levels in the samples. The results show the presence of DDT and its metabolite contaminants in bovine milk, posing a serious health risk to consumers. Alternatives to DDT may therefore need to be employed in the control of the malaria vector.