Njalam'mano, John Bright JosephChirwa, Evans M.N.Pieterse, Mark2018-01-262018-01-262017Njalam mano J.B.J., Chirwa E.M.N., Pieterse M., 2017, Optimisation of headspace solid phase microextraction for gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis of pit latrine key odorants, Chemical Engineering Transactions, 61, 631-636 DOI:10.3303/CET1761103.2283-9216 (online)10.3303/CET1761103http://hdl.handle.net/2263/63755Solid phase microextraction (SPME) fibre type and main experimental factors and their interactions for optimisation of a headspace solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-ToFMS) for the determination of four key odorants; butyric acid, dimethyl trisulphide, p-cresol and indole, in pit latrine faecal sludge were identified. Carboxen-polydimethylsiloxane (CAR/PDMS) was the SPME fibre that gave best extraction efficiency for all the odorants of interest in this study. All the factors and their interactions were statistically insignificant at α = 0.05 on the total peak areas of DMTS. The main effects; extraction temperature, extraction time and ionic strength were statistically significant at α = 0.05 on the total peak areas of butyric acid, p-cresol and indole. The two-way interactions of extraction temperature and extraction time, extraction temperature and ionic strength, and extraction time and ionic strength were also statistically significant at α = 0.05 on the total peak areas of butyric acid, p-cresol and indole. The sample pH and the interactions of sample pH and ionic strength were statistically significant at α = 0.05 for indole only.en© 2017, AIDIC Servizi S.r.l.Carboxen-polydimethylsiloxaneTwo-way interactionTime of flight mass spectrometry (TOF-MS)Extraction timeExtraction temperaturesExtraction efficienciesExperimental factorsSpectrometrySiliconesPolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbonsOdorsMass spectrometryGas chromatographyIonic strengthDrug productsButyric acidChromatographySolid phase microextraction (SPME)Article