Tracing the source of Brazil nut contamination using advanced mass spectrometric methods

Intro

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Find out more: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/supporting-you/research/

Project Detail

Brazil nut trees are a protected species that are vital to the forest economies of Amazonian Bolivia, Peru and Brazil. The majority of nuts are exported to the EU, UK and USA, providing the only regular income for many rural households in the Western Amazon region and guaranteeing the survival of the forests where the trees occur. Brazil nut processing plants are required to certify the levels of methyl bromide, a banned pesticide that has harmful environmental impacts. Methyl bromide is not known to be used in any of the forests where Brazil Nuts are grown, yet high levels have been found in the nuts. This impacts considerably on their price and it is consequently perceived as the major threat to the Brazil nut industry (greater than climate change or deforestation).

This project will focus on the development of mass spectrometry techniques to trace the source of methyl bromide. The project will investigate the variation of methyl bromide in the nuts, within the surrounding forest and across the Bolivian Amazon. We will investigate whether the contamination is coming from the local environment or longer distance contamination stemming from pesticide use, and whether levels correlate with any impact on the nutritional or health value of Brazil nuts.

Find out more

For further information on this project, please see the main CENTA website (http://www.centa.ac.uk/) or contact Dr Amy Managh ([Email Address Removed]) or Dr Matthew Turner ([Email Address Removed]).

Entry requirements

Applicants will normally need to hold, or expect to gain, at least a 2:1 degree (or equivalent) in Chemistry, Geography, Environmental Science, or a related subject. An appropriate Master’s degree would be considered an advantage.

Funding information

The studentship is funded for 3.5 years starting from October 2022 and provides a tax-free stipend of £15,609 per annum (in 2021/22) for the duration of the studentship plus tuition fees at the UK/EU rate (£4,500 in 2021/22) and a research training support grant (RTSG) of £8,000. Further guidance about eligibility is available at UKRI Terms and Conditions. International students (including EU) are eligible to apply but the difference between the UK and International tuition fee cannot be covered by the Research Council grant and must therefore be met from other sources.

Contact details

Name: Dr Amy Managh

Email address: [Email Address Removed]

Telephone number:  +44 (0)1509 222556

How to apply

To apply:

1. Complete a CENTA studentship application form in Word format (available from http://www.centa.ac.uk/apply/ or here).
2. All applications should be made online at http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/apply/research/. Under programme name, select “Chemistry”.  During the online application process, upload the CENTA studentship application form as a supporting document.

Please quote CENTA22-LU8 when completing your online application.