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Browsing Theses and Dissertations (Biosciences) by Title

Browsing Theses and Dissertations (Biosciences) by Title

Now showing items 1-20 of 40

Assessing the genetic diversity of Alternaria Bataticola in South Africa using molecular markers

Chalwe, Joseph Musonda (2015)

Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) is an important food crop that is grown in many countries. A number of viral and fungal sweetpotato diseases have been reported worldwide. One of the major and most economic diseases of the ...
Assessing the genetic diversity of South African sweetpotato germplasm using DNA and protein markers

Selaocoe, Maleshoane Ellen (2013-06)

Sweetpotato is one of the most important food crops in developing countries including South Africa. Currently two major types of cultivars are grown in South Africa: one is the orange-fleshed sweetpotato (OFSP) which has ...
Assessing the morphological variation and characterising the proteins of bambara groundnut (Vigna Subterranea L. Verdc)

Evangeline, Unigwe Amara (Vaal University of Technology, 2016-12)

Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea L. Verdc) is an underutilized crop in the African continent. It is a drought tolerant crop and fixes atmospheric nitrogen. Bambara groundnut is primarily grown for the protein content ...
Assessing the pollutant removal efficiency of a wetland as a polishing treatment for municipal wastewater

Mphuthi, Betty Refilwe (Vaal University of Technology, 2021-02-16)

Pollution of aquatic systems by wastewater containing pathogens, heavy metals and high concentrations of nutrients is of great concern due the ecological risks they impose. The toxic effects of metals may occur even at low ...
Biochemical and molecular characterization of heavy metal resistant bacteria isolated from the Klip River, South Africa

Chihomvu, Patience (2014)

The Klip River has suffered severe anthropogenic effects from industrial, agricultural, mining and domestic activities. As a result harmful contaminants such as heavy metals have accumulated in the river, causing microorganisms ...
Characterisation of Amaranthus Tricolor mutant plants with increased drought-tolerance

Kgang, Itumeleng Eugenia (2010-02)

Amaranthus tricolor (A. tricolor) is a nutritious vegetable crop that is used as a subsistence and cash crop in the rural areas in Africa. Its yield and production is severely limited by abiotic stresses such as drought. ...
Characterization and identification of microbial communities in pigeon droppings using Culture-Independent techniques

Leareng, Samuel Keeng (2015-08)

Pigeon droppings, found in abundance in most cities and towns where pigeons are found, are a source of potential yeast and molds into the environment. Invasive fungal infections are a cause of morbidity and often mortality ...
Co-production of inulinase by Kluyveromyces marxianus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae in solid state fermentation

Molefe, Nnana Mantsopa (2014-02)

Solid-state fermentation (SFF) has emerged as a good method for the production of microbial enzymes such as inulinases. The use of low-cost agricultural plants and agro-industrial residues as substrates in SSF processes ...
A Comparative study between the prevalence of MTHFR A1298C SNP and homocysteine metabolism in an elderly black South African population

Dippenaar, Luzanne (2018-08)

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are one of the most common causes of death worldwide. This is not only a problem in developed countries, it is of major concern for public health in developing countries as well. Increased ...
The construction and evaluation of a novel tubular photobioreactor at a small pilot plant scale

Kutama, Makonde (2012-07)

The mass production of algae for commercial purposes has predominately been carried out in open ponds systems. However, open ponds systems have a number of disadvantages such as poor light utilization, requirement for large ...
Correlating the prevalence of C174G polymorphism with IL-6, TNF-α and Hs-CRP in an elderly black South African population.

Valentine, Jessica (Vaal University of Technology, 2019-03)

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death worldwide, and the prevalence thereof is on the rise in developing countries due to the demographic transition and urbanization. The inflammatory process, ...
Cytotoxic and genotoxic studies of crude extracts from the leaves, stems and roots of Tulbaghia Violacea

Nellvecia, Madike Lerato (Vaal University of Technology, 2017-11)

Tulbaghia violacea Harv. (wild garlic) has been used in traditional medicine in Southern Africa for the treatment of various ailments. Despite the widespread use and popularity of this medicinal plant as a herbal medicine, ...
Determining the effectiveness of water treatment process barriers for the removal of viruses in drinking water.

Setlhare, Khomotso Charity (2018)

The presence of enteric viruses in drinking water poses a health risk to consumers. It is therefore very important for drinking water suppliers to provide water that is pathogen free and fit for human consumption. This can ...
Development of a HPLC method for the detection of Levetiracetam in blood of patients with epilepsy

Engelbrecht, Lynette (2016-05)

Approximately 1% of the world’s population has epilepsy, the second most common neurological disorder after stroke. In South Africa almost 1 in every 100 people has epilepsy, affecting all ages. Levetiracetam (LEV), ...
Development of an "A" genome-specific sequence characterised amplified region (SCAR) marker in Musa L. (bananas and plantains)

Mabonga, Lloyd (2014-09)

Most cultivated bananas and plantains (Musa spp. sect. Eumusa), originated from two wild diploid species, Musa acuminata Colla (AA) and Musa balbisiana Colla (BB), which contributed the A and B genomes, respectively. The ...
The effect of a sugar sweetened beverage diet on DNA methylation in a CACO-2 cell line in vitro

Ndhlovu, Lesego (Vaal University of Technology, 2020-12)

Obesity has steadily increased and represents a major public health problem worldwide, reducing quality of life and causing a range of health problems. Obesity has emerged as the fifth leading risk of global deaths. Annually, ...
The effect of crude water extracts of Tulbaghia violacea Harv. on scaffolds with cardiovascular applications

Madike, Lerato Nellvecia (Vaal University of Technology, 2020-02)

Tulbaghia violacea Harv. has found extensive uses in traditional medicine for the treatment of numerous ailments among which are tuberculosis, oesophageal cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Current reports show ...
The effects of biofouling on a reverse osmosis membrane purification system at Sasol, Sasolburg

Takaidza, Samkeliso (Vaal University of Technology, 2011-06)

Reverse osmosis (RO) membranes are widely used in water purification. The presence of biofilms in water and industrial water purification systems is prevalent. As a result, biofouling which is a biofilm problem causes ...
The effects of solar irradiated Salmonella Typhimurium and campylobacter jejuni on the proliferation and activation of macrophages in vitro

Chihomvu, Patience (Vaal University of Technology, 2019-12)

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and Campylobacter jejuni are the leading causes of Salmonellosis and Campylobacteriosis that is characterised by gastroenteritis. These waterborne diseases can be easily prevented ...
The efficiency of three shRNAs in silencing the galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase gene

Nokoane, Mmateisi Patricia (2013)

This study seeks to design and test specific short hairpin RNA (pshRNA) for their efficiency in knocking down the GALT gene RNA products thereby limiting the resultant enzyme activity. The following objectives were followed ...