http://hdl.handle.net/11189/1897 2026-08-12T10:52:46Z http://hdl.handle.net/11189/9948 Title: Physical, chemical and biological pre-treatment of lignocellulosic biomass for biorefinery applications Authors: Ranjan, Amrita; Welz, Pamela Jean Abstract: The generation of energy from fossil fuels contributes significantly to global warming. This may be mitigated by the use of renewable (bio-based) feedstocks. Second generation biofuels made in biorefineries that utilize agricultural residues and other lignocellulosic wastes as feedstocks reduce the dependency on food crops such as sugar cane (for bioethanol) and oil seeds (for biodiesel). Pre-treatment of lignocellulosic feedstocks is key for ensuring process efficiency from the substrate to the product. There are many pre-treatment methods, and method selection is incumbent on the type of feedstock and the downstream processes required to generate the final product(s). Product yields can be increased by integrating two or three pre-treatment methods. For example, by combining physical and/or chemical pre-treatment with ultrasonication. The content of this chapter is focused on describing various pre-treatment methods that are used to break down and/or hydrolyse lignocellulosic biomass. The discussion extends to both conventional and novel ‘green’ methods and includes the advantages and disadvantages of each method type. Possible solutions for overcoming some of these disadvantages are included. 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/11189/9947 Title: Ethnobotanical study of plants used for the management of diabetes mellitus in South Africa Authors: Kambizi, Learnmore; Bvenura, Callistus Abstract: The number of people affected by diabetes mellitus is increasing in South Africa, yet the cost of drugs is beyond the majority. It is imperative, therefore, to search for alternative and inexpensive antidiabetic agents. This study aimed to document medicinal plants traditionally used for the management of diabetes mellitus in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study revealed 30 plant species distributed in 25 families, and Asphodelaceae family topped the list with three species recorded. The rest of the families are represented by a single plant species. Polyherbal decoctions from underground plant parts are the commonly prescribed remedies. Most of these herbal preparations are taken orally as teas. Helichrysum odorratissimum and Harpephyllum caffrum of the families Asteraceae and Anacardiaceae, respectively, were the most cited plants used for the management of diabetes mellitus. It was noted that sometimes incidents of wrong identification coupled with no standardisation of dosage result in herbal intoxication, especially when inexperienced persons are sent to collect plant materials from the wild. Generally, the use of herbs to manage diabetes in the study area is an integral part of primary health care delivery system. 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/11189/9946 Title: Solanum nigrum seed viability and germination, and soil modulation effect on seedling emergence Authors: Ogundola, Adijat Funke; Afolayan, Anthony Jide; Bvenura, Callistus Abstract: Solanum nigrum is an important African medicinal plant with culinary and health benefits. However, scavenging from the wild has been the means of its accessibility, and this comes with several challenges. Cultivation of this plant is thus critical if populations in the wild are to be maintained and if it can be accessed throughout the year. Environmental factors such as growth media are important in plant production and growth. Therefore, identifying the best soil texture type and ideal sowing depth for optimum seedling emergence of S. nigrum was investigated in this study. Seeds extracted from plants growing in the wild in Alice, Eastern Cape Province of South Africa were tested for viability, germination, and seedling emergence on different soil types. The experiment was set up in a randomised complete block design in the glass house, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa. Treatments were light, temperature, and scarification. Sandpaper scarification and 15°C, 20°C, and 25°C temperature treatments all produced the highest germination percentage of 94.66%. Although continuous light produced 75.33%, alternating light and continuous darkness produced 84% and 4.66%, respectively. Continuous darkness, 5°C, 35°C, and 40°C temperature regimes produced less than 5% germination percentage. The efficacies of sandy clay loam, silty clay loam, clay loam, and loam soils were tested on seedling emergence. Sowing depths lower and higher than 2 cm significantly slowed down seedling emergence. Control soil also reduced seedling emergence. The results indicate that S. nigrum seeds germinate better at temperatures between 15°C and 25°C and scarification with sandpaper, continuous darkness, and temperatures lower than 5°C. However, temperatures higher than 35°C hinder germination. The highest seedling emergence was recorded at 2 cm, planting depth in silty clay loam soils. These results can be applied not only to S. nigrum seeds but also to other research fields that rely on successful seed germination. 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/11189/9945 Title: Chapter Can Phylogenetics Clear Plant Taxonomic Confusion for Conservation and Sound Bioprospecting Authors: Mapfumo, Steven; Afolayan, Omolola; Laubscher, Charles Petrus; Ndlovu, Joyce; Bvenura, Callistus; Kambizi, Learnmore Abstract: Different medicinal plant species may look morphologically similar (species convergence), or the same species can be morphologically different (species divergence), causing confusion in taxonomy, bioprospecting for new drugs, and conservation efforts. In extreme cases, morphological species convergence is so striking that it has the potential to mislead experienced plant collectors and biologists, as has been the case with several species. However, these similarities and differences are easily separated by phylogenetic techniques. The problem of cryptic species, speciation, and other related taxonomic issues can be solved at molecular level using DNA barcodes and phylogenetic analysis. These techniques aid in the correct identification of plants and provide information, which is then used in bioprospecting and conservation. Advanced and effective techniques of ex situ conservation of medicinal plants, such as cryopreservation, have been widely explored and have shown immense potential in medicinal plant conservation. Plant material for cryopreservation is identified using molecular biology techniques. In this chapter, we review the usefulness of some phylogenetic techniques in taxonomic differentiation as bioprospecting and cryopreservation tools. 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z