http://hdl.handle.net/11189/3440 Wed, 23 Sep 2026 02:18:01 GMT 2026-09-23T02:18:01Z http://hdl.handle.net/11189/5799 Title: Recent developments in polyfluoroalkyl compounds research: A focus on human/environmental health impact, suggested substitutes and removal strategies Authors: Mudumbi, JBN; Ntwampe, Seteno Karabo Obed; Matsha, Tandi Edith; Mekuto, Lukhanyo; Itoba-Tombo, Elie Fereche Abstract: Between the late 1940s and early 1950s, humans manufactured polyfluoroalkyl compounds (PFCs) using electrochemical fluorination and telomerisation technologies, whereby hydrogen atoms are substituted by fluorine atoms, thus, conferring unnatural and unique physicochemical properties to these compounds. Presently, there are wide ranges of PFCs and, owing to their bioaccumulative properties; they have been detected in various environmental matrices and in human sera. It has thus been suggested that they are hazardous. Hence, this review aims at highlighting the recent development in PFC research, with a particular focus on perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), the most studied and predominantly found PFC in various environmental matrices, although recent reports have included perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS), which was previously regarded as innocuously harmless, when compared to its counterparts, PFOA and PFOS. As such, proper investigations are thus required for a better understanding of short-chain PFC substitutes, which have been suggested as suitable replacements to long-chained PFCs, although these substitutes have also been suggested to pose various health risks comparable to those associated with long-chain PFCs. Similarly, several novel technologies, such as PFC reduction using Zero Valent Iron, including removal at point of use, have been proposed. Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/11189/5799 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/11189/5798 Title: Biopreservatives from yeasts with antimicrobial activity against common food, agricultural produce and beverage spoilage organisms Authors: Ngongang, Maxwell Mewa; Ntwampe, Seteno Karabo Obed; Du Plessis, HW; Jolly, NP; Mekuto, Lukhanyo Abstract: There are safety concerns regarding the use of chemical food preservatives for reducing microbial contamination in processed foods and post-harvest agricultural produce, and these concerns require a bioprospecting approach. Non-Saccharomyces yeasts produce antimicrobial compounds, but these compounds are not being produced nor used on a large scale due to inadequate development and understanding of process engineering systems that are required for their production. This chapter focuses on bioprospecting biopreservative potential of yeasts. A mini review on the current potential of yeasts and their extracellular compounds as biopreservatives was conducted. In an attempt to address the gaps found in current literature, and to open windows for future research on biopreservatives, a model study of growth and antimicrobial compound production kinetics from Candida pyralidae KU736785 was carried out. Results showed the potential of C. pyralidae as post-harvest biocontrol agent and as producers of biopreservation compounds. There was a broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity shown against Botrytis cinerae, Brettanomyces bruxellensis and Candida guilliermondii by the strain of C. pyralidae studied. Furthermore, a new concept for quantification of biopreservation activity was also developed to describe the efficacy of the crude biopreservatives Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/11189/5798 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/11189/3325 Title: Bioavailability of high molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons using renewable resources Authors: Amodu, Olusola Solomon; Ojumu, Tunde Victor; Ntwampe, Seteno Karabo Obed Abstract: Introduction: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are the world’s largest class of carcinogens known to date, not only because of their ability to cause gene mutation and cancer, but due to their persistency in the environment. They are particularly recalcitrant due to their molecular weight, hydrophobic nature and thus, accumulate in various matrices in the environment. Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/11189/3325 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z