https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/3164 2026-06-26T20:06:36Z 2026-06-26T20:06:36Z Gosh, Lekhuleni Isobel Lerato https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32655 2026-06-22T11:41:52Z 2025-11-01T00:00:00Z

Effect of preservatives and storage conditions on quality of Marula (Sclerocarya birrea) fruit juice Gosh, Lekhuleni Isobel Lerato The aim of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is, among other things, to eradicate hunger and malnutrition and guarantee that all people have access to sufficient nutrient-dense food by 2030. The introduction of underutilised indigenous fruit species such as marula (Sclerocarya birrea subsp. caffra), which is reported to be abundant in vitamin C and minerals needed by humans for the fulfilment of their recommended daily dietary requirements, seems to be a reliable strategy to achieve these goals. This multi-disciplinary study was conducted to investigate (i) the impact of geographical region on the physicochemical properties of marula fruits and juice, and (ii) the effect of a treatment combination of preservatives and storage conditions on the physicochemical properties, mineral retention and microbial activities of 100% marula fruit juice. The aim of the study was therefore to establish the most suitable preservatives and storage conditions for processed marula fruit juice, for the purpose of the future commercialisation of this product. Fruit and its juice utillised for for the analysis of physicochemical properties including calcium, iron, fruit mass, total soluble sugars, total flavonoids, and vitamin C were harvested from Bushbuckridge, Giyani and Tzaneen, all of which are classified as lowveld regions of South Africa. The effect of treatment combinations (preservatives and storage settings) on quality, including phytochemicals and minerals, was assessed by subjecting marula fruit juice to preservatives (sodium metabisulphite and sodium benzoate) and storage conditions (4, 6, and 10˚C) for a duration of 20 days. Concerning the assessment of microbial activity, the spread plate count approach was employed, encompassing incubation, enumeration of colony-forming units, and species identification. For the physicochemical properties investigation, study revealed that fruits harvested in the Bushbuckridge region exhibited a greater mass (44.6 g) compared to those from other places. In comparison to other regions, the Tzaneen region fruit had a higher total soluble sugar concentration of 12.9 ˚Brix. Regarding the impact of varying presevatives and storage conditions on quality retention, results demonstrated that the combination of sodium benzoate and a storage temperature of 10˚C resulted in the highest preservation of total flavonoid content (2.49 mg QE/ml) after 20 days, compared to other treatments. Retention of higher vitamin C content (83.26 mg/100 ml) was noted under the treatment combination (+ positive control - pasteurized at 10˚C). For minerals, the treatment iv combination of sodium benzoate and 4˚C yielded enhanced calcium retention (81.3 mg/L) relative to alternative treatments. The maximum retention of iron content (33.1 mg/L) was recorded with the treatment combination of sodium benzoate and 4˚C, in comparison to other treatments. Regarding microbiological quality, juice samples treated with sodium metabisulphite, irrespective of storage conditions, exhibited the lowest yeast count (3.2 x 102 cfu/ml) in comparison to other treatments. Therefore, regional variances, the use of preservatives, and low storage temperatures all have a direct impact on marula fruit and juice. As a result, marula fruit juice manufacturers should take these factors into account since they have a direct impact on the juice's marketability and potential for commercialisation.; Inhloso yeMhlabuhlangene Tinjongo Tekutfutfukisa Letisimeme (SDGs) kutsi, emkhatsini waletinye tintfo, kucedza indlala kanye nekungadli kahle kanye nekucinisekisa kutsi bonkhe bantfu bayakhona kutfola kudla lokwenele lokunemsoco ngemnyaka wa 2030. Kwetfulwa kwetinhlobo tetitselo temdzabu letingakasetjentiswa kahle letifana nemaganu imarula (Sclerocarya birrea subsp. caffra), letisetjentiswa kancane. kuvithamin C kanye nemaminerali ladzingwa bantfu kwentela kugcwalisa tidzingo tabo tekudla letinconyiwe tetinsuku tonkhe, kubonakala ngatsi lisu leletsembekile lekufeza lemigomo. Lolucwaningo lolunetifundvo letiningi lwentelwe kuphenya (i) umtselela wesigodzi sendzawo etimphahleni tephysicochemical tetitselo temarula kanye nejusi, kanye (ii) nemphumela wenhlanganisela yekwelapha yetintfo letilondvolotako kanye netimo tekugcina etimphahleni tephysicochemical, kugcinwa kwemaminerali ejusi yemarula 100%. Inhloso yalolucwaningo bekukusungula tintfo letifanele kakhulu tekugcina kanye netimo tekugcina ijusi yetitselo temarula lecubunguliwe, ngenhloso yekutsengisa lomkhicito esikhatsini lesitako. Titselo kanye nejusi yato lesetjentiselwa kuhlatiya tintfo temtimba letifaka ekhatsi ikhalsiyamu, i-ayoni, bukhulu besitselo, shukela loncibilikako lophelele, ema flavonoids laphelele kanye nevithamin C kwavunwa eBushbuckridge, eGiyani nase Tzaneen, konkhe loku kuhlukaniswe njengetindzawo letiphansi eNingizimu Afrika Umphumela wekuhlanganiswa kwekwelapha (tintfo letilondvolotako kanye netindzawo tekugcina) ngelizinga, kufaka ekhatsi emakhemikhali etitjalo kanye nemamineral, kwahlolwa ngekubeka ijusi yetitselo temarula ngetintfo letilondvolotako (isodium metabisulphite kanye nesodium benzoate) kanye netimo tekugcina (4, 6, kanye na 10 ̊C) sikhatsi lseingemalanga langu-20. Mayelana nekuhlolwa kwemsebenti wetintfo letincane, indlela yekubala emapuleti lasakateke yasetjentiswa, lefaka ekhatsi kufukamela, kubalwa kwemayunithi lakha emakoloni kanye nekukhonjwa kwetinhlobo. Kuloluphenyo lwephysicochemical, lolucwaningo lwaveta kutsi titselo letivunwe esigodzini sase Bushbuckridge tikhombisa bukhulu lobukhulu (44.6 g) uma kucatsaniswa naleto letivela kuletinye tindzawo. Uma kucatsaniswa naletinye tifundza, sitselo sesigodzi sase Tzaneen besinesibalo lesiphakeme sashukela loncibilikako lesiphelele lesingu 12.9 ̊Brix. vi Mayelana nemtselela wetintfo letehlukene tekugcina kanye netimo tekugcina ekugcineni lizinga, imiphumela yakhombisa kutsi kuhlanganiswa kwesodium benzoate kanye nelizinga lekushisa lekugcina la 10 ̊C kwaholela ekugcineni lokusetulu kwalokucuketfwe kweflavonoid lephelele (2.49 mg QE/ml) ngemuva kwemalanga lamashumi lamabili (20), uma kucatsaniswa naletinye tindlela tekwelapha. Kugcinwa kwe vithamin C lesetulu (83.26 mg/100 ml) kwaphawulwa ngaphansi kwekuhlanganiswa kwekwelashwa (+ kulawula lokuhle - pasteurized ku 10 ̊C). Kumaminerali, inhlanganisela yekwelapha ye-sodium benzoate kanye na 4 ̊C kwakhicita kugcinwa kwe khalsiyamu lokukhulisiwe (81.3 mg/L) uma kucatsaniswa naletinye tindlela tekwelapha. Kugcinwa lokukhulu kwe-ayoni (33.1 mg/L) kwabhalwa ngekuhlanganiswa kwekwelapha kwesodium benzoate kanye na 4 ̊C, uma kucatsaniswa naletinye tindlela tekwelapha. Mayelana nelizinga letintfo letincane, emasampula ejusi laphatfwe ngesodium metabisulphite, kungakhatsaleki kutsi timo tekugcina, tikhombisa sibalo lesiphansi semvubelo (3.2 x 102 cfu/ml) uma kucatsaniswa naletinye tindlela tekwelapha. Ngako-ke, kwehluka kwesifundza, kusetjentiswa kwetintfo letilondvolotako kanye nelizinga lekushisa leliphansi kwekugcina konkhe kunemitselela lecondzile esitselweni semarula kanye nejusi. Ngenca yaloko, bakhiciti bejusi yetitselo temarula kumele batsatse letintfo njengoba tinemtselela locondzile ekutsengiseni kwejusi kanye nemandla ekutsengisa.; Xikongomelo xa Swikongomelo swa Nhluvukiso lowu Yisekaka Emahlweni (tiSDG) swa United Nations, exikarhi xin'wana, i ku herisa ndlala na nsiko na ku tiyisisa leswaku vanhu hinkwavo va na mfikelelo wa swakudya leswi nga tala swiaki swa mirhi swo ringanela hi kwalomuya ka 2030. Ku sungula ku tirhisiwa kwa mixaka ya mihandzu ya xintu leyi tirhisiwaka switsongo yo tanihi makanyi (Sclerocarya birrea subsp. caffra), leyi yi vikiwaka ku va yi tele yi vhitamini ya C na timinerali leswi dingiwaka hi vanhu ku fikelela swilaveko wa vona swa madyelo ya siku na siku leswi bumabumeriwaka, swi tikomba swi ri qhinga ro tshembeka ku fikelela swikongomelo leswi. Ndzavisiso lowa marhavinyingi wu endleriwile ku lavisisa (i) nkhumbo wa xifundza xa ndhawu ya misava hi mayelana na swihlawulekisi swa fizikokhemikali swa mihandzu ya makanyi na juzi ya makanyi (ii) xitandzhaku xa nkatsaniso wa makhomelo wa swisivelakubola na swiyimo swa vuhlayiselo, na nhlayiso wa timinerali na migingiriko ya switsongwatsongwana ya 100% ta juzi ya mihandzu ya makanyi. Hikokwalaho, xikongomelo xa ndzavisiso lowu a ku ri ku tumbuluxa swisivelakubola leswi ringaneleke swinene na swiyimo swa vuhlayiselo swa juzi ya mihandzu ya makanyi leyi phurosesiweke, hi xikongomelo xa vubindzurisi bya nkarhi lowu taka wa xikumiwa lexi. Muhandzu na juzi ya wona leswi tirhisiweke eka nxopaxopo swihlawulekisi swa fizikokhemikali ku katsa na khalisiyamu, ayoni, ntiko wa mihandzu, machukela lama n'okaka hinkwawo, tifulavhonoyidi hinkwato na vhitamini ya C swi hlengeletiwile eBushbuckridge, Giyani na Tzaneen, hinkwaswo swa swona swi ntlawahatiwa tanihi swifundza swa le timbalankoveni ta Afrika-Dzonga. Xitandzhaku xa mikatsaniso ya makhomelo (swisivelakubola na tindhawu ta vuhlayiselo) eka risima, ku katsa na tifayitokhemikali na timinerali, xi kamberiwile hi ku endla juzi ya mihandzu ya makanyi yi va na swisivelakubola (sodium metabisulphite na sodium benzoate) na swiyimo swa vuhlayiselo (4, 6, na 10˚C) ku ringana nkarhivunavi wa 20 wa masiku. Hi mayelana na makambelelo ya nghingiriko wa switsongwatsongwana, nhlayelo wa puleti yo hangalasela wu tirhisiwile, leswi katsaka andziso wa switsongwatsongwana, nhlayelo wa tiyuniti leti vumbaka tikholoni na ntiveko wa mixaka ya swihanyi. Eka vulavisisi bya fizikokhemikali, ndzavisiso lowu wu paluxe leswaku mihandzu leyi hlengeletiweke eka xifundza xa Bushbuckridge yi kombe ntiko lowukulu wa (44.6 g) loko wu pimanisiwa na lowuya wa le tindhawini tin'wana. Hi ku viii pimanisiwa na swifundza swin'wana, xifundza xa Tzaneen xi vile na nkhuvangano wa machukela lama n'okaka hinkwawo wa 12.9 ˚Brix. Hi mayelana na nkhumbo wa swisivelakubola leswi hambanaka na swiyimo swa vuhlayiselo eka nhlayiso wa risima, mivuyelo yi kombise leswaku nkatsaniso wa sodium benzoate na mahiselo ya vuhlayiselo ya 10˚C wu vange nhlayiso wa henhlahenhla wa vundzeni wa tifulavhonoyidi hinkwato (2.49 mg QE/ml) endzhaku ka 20 wa masiku, loko ku pimanisiwa na makhomelo man'wana. Nhlayiso wa vundzeni bya vhitamini ya C bya le henhla (83.26 mg/100 ml) byi lemukiwile ehansi ka nkatsaniso wa makhomelo (+ vulawurinene - ku hisisa kufika eka 10˚C). Eka timinerali, nkatsaniso wa makhomelo wa sodium benzoate na 4˚C swi nyike nhlayiso wa khalisiyamu lowu antswisiweke (81.3 mg/L) loko ku fananisiwa na makhomelo man'wana. Nhlayiso wa mpimohenhla wa vundzeni bya ayoni (33.1 mg/L) wu rhekodiwile eka nkatsaniso wa makhomelo wa sodium benzoate na 4˚C, hi ku pimanisiwa na makhomelo man'wana. Hi mayelana na risima ra ntivoswitsongwatsongwana, tisampulu ta juzi leti cheriweke sodium metabisulphite, swi nga ri na mhaka swiyimo swa vuhlayiselo, ti kombe nhlayelo wa xiviriso wa le hansihansi (3.2 x 102 cfu/ml) hi ku pimanisiwa na makahomelo man'wana. Hikokwalaho, mihambano ya swifundza, ntirhiso wa swisivelakubola na mahiselo ya vuhlayiselo ya le hansi hinkwaswo swi na nkhumbo wo kongoma eka mihandzu ya makanyi na juzi ya makanyi. Hikokwalaho, vamaki va juzi ya mihandzu ya makanyi va fanele ku tekela enhlokweni swihlohloteri leswi tanihileswi swi nga na nkhumbo wo kongoma eka vumaketeki bya juzi leyi na vuswikoti bya vubindzuriseki. Abstract in English with Swazi and Tsonga translations

2025-11-01T00:00:00Z Strauss, Kay-Lee Elrechia https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32570 2026-06-02T09:55:37Z 2026-10-30T00:00:00Z

Comparative impact of antiretroviral therapy on liver function among HIV infected pregnant women with and those without pre-eclampsia in South Africa Strauss, Kay-Lee Elrechia Background: Pregnant women living with HIV (PWLWHIV) are at increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including pre-eclampsia (PE), a multisystem hypertensive disorder characterised by endothelial dysfunction, systemic inflammation, and organ damage. Both HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy (ART) are associated with hepatic impairment; their synergistic impact on maternal liver function in the context of pre-eclampsia remains unclear, especially in HIV-endemic regions. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of HIV infection and ART exposure on maternal liver function and systemic inflammation during pregnancy, with particular emphasis on the modifying role of pre-eclampsia. Method: A mixed-methods approach was utilised, combining systematic reviews and metaanalyses with observational cohort studies. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses assessed the impact of PE, HIV infection, and ART exposure on hepatic biomarkers, particularly aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and total serum bilirubin. The clinical component included cohorts stratified by PE and HIV status to evaluate inflammatory markers and liver function parameters. Plasma levels of AST, ALT, placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured and compared among groups to evaluate hepatic impairment, placental involvement, and systemic inflammation. Results: Meta-analytic data revealed a substantial association between PE and increased maternal liver enzymes, indicative of hepatocellular damage. HIV infection and ART exposure were independently associated with elevated AST and ALT levels in comparison to HIVnegative controls. The clinical observations validated these results, demonstrating markedly elevated AST and ALT levels in pre-eclamptic women, with the most pronounced increases noted in those with concurrent HIV infection and pre-eclampsia. PLAP levels were significantly altered in PE, especially in HIV-positive women, indicating placental dysfunction and potential placental-hepatic interplay. CRP concentrations were elevated in PE and further rose with illness severity, with HIV-positive women displaying greater baseline inflammatory levels. The simultaneous presence of HIV and PE led to the greatest inflammatory burden. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that liver dysfunction during pregnancy is influenced by the complex interplay between HIV infection, ART exposure, and pre-eclampsia. The results indicate that hepatic abnormalities in PWLWHIV cannot be solely attributed to HIV, ART, or PE, but rather to their combined effects. Therefore, an improved monitoring of liver function and inflammatory markers in high-risk pregnancies may facilitate early identification of hepatic involvement and maternal risk assessment, especially in HIV-endemic areas like South Africa.; Boemo Basadi ba baimana bao ba phelago le HIV ba lebane le kotsi ye kgolo ya mathata a a amanago le boimana, go swana le pre-eclampsia (PE), ye e lego bolwetši bja kgatelelo ya madi bjo bo amago mekgwa ye mentši ya mmelo bjo bo akaretšago go senyega ga methapo ya madi, go ruruga ga mmele ka kakaretšo, le go senyega ga ditho. Tšoaetšo ya HIV le kalafo ya diantiretroviral (ART) ka bobedi di amahanngwa le go senyegega ga sebete; le ge go le bjalo, khuetšo ya tšona ye e kopanego godimo ga mošomo wa sebete sa bomme maemong a preeclampsia ga sešo sa hlaloswa gabotse, kudu dinageng tšeo HIV e atilego kudu. Maikemišetšo Maikemišetšo a nyakišišo ye e be e le go hlahloba ditlamorago tša tšoaetšo ya HIV le kalafo ya ART godimo ga mošomo wa sebete sa bomme le go rurušega nakong ya boimana, ka go lebanya kudu le khuetšo ya pre-eclampsia. Mokgwa Go dirišitšwe mokgwa wa mixed-methods, wo o kopantšego ditlhahlobo tša tsamaiso (systematic reviews) le meta-analyses le dithuto tše mmalwa tša di-cohort. Ditlhahlobo tša tsamaiso le meta-analyses di lekotše khuetšo ya pre-eclampsia, tšoaetšo ya HIV le go pepentšhwa go ART godimo ga di-biomarker tša sebete, e lego aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), le bilirubin ya kakaretšo ya serum. Dithuto tša kliniki di akaretša di-cohort tše mmalwa tšeo di nyakišišitšego go rurušega le mošomo wa sebete go basadi ba baimana bao ba arotšwego go ya ka maemo a PE le HIV. Maemo a plasma a AST, ALT, placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP), le C-reactive protein (CRP) a lekantšwe le go bapetšwa magareng ga dihlopha go lekola go senyega ga sebete, go tsenela ga placenta, le go rurušega ga mmele ka kakaretšo. Dipoelo Dipoelo tša meta-analysis di bontšhitše kgokagano ye kgolo magareng ga pre-eclampsia le koketšego ya di-enzyme tša sebete sa bomme, e lego sešupo sa go senyega ga disele tša sebete. Tšoaetšo ya HIV le go šomišwa ga ART ka bonngwe di amantšwe le maemo a godimo a AST le ALT ge di bapetšwa le basadi bao ba se nago HIV. Ditemogo tša kliniki di netefaditše dipoelo tše, ka go bontšha koketšego ye kgolo ya AST le ALT go basadi bao ba nago le preeclampsia, ka maemo a godimo kudu go bao ba nago le tšoaetšo ya HIV le pre-eclampsia ka nako e tee. Maemo a PLAP a fetogile kudu go PE, kudu go basadi ba HIV-positive, se se bontšhago go se šome gabotse ga placenta le tswalano ya placenta le sebete. Maemo a CRP a be a phagame go PE gomme a oketša le go tia ga bolwetši, go basadi ba nang leHIVvi positive ba bontšha maemo a godimo a go rurušega go tšwa mathomong. Go ba gona ka nako e tee ga HIV le PE go lebile go morwalo wo mogolo kudu wa go rurušega. Mafetšo Mošomo wo o tšweleditšwego mo porojekeng ye o bontšha gore go se šome gabotse ga sebete go tšwa go tswalano ya tšoaetšo ya HIV, go šomitšwa ga ART, le boimana, gomme go ka amana gape le pre-eclampsia. Dipoelo di bontšha gore diphetogo tša sebete go basadi ba baimana bao ba phelago ka twatši ya HIV di ka se hlaloswe ka HIV, ART goba PE fela, eupša di tšwa go ditlamorago tša tšona tše di kopanego. Ka fao, go tokafatša go hlokomelwa ga mošomo wa sebete le di-marker tša go rurušega go boimana bjo bo lego kotsing go ka thuša go lemoga ka pela go tsenela ga sebete le go lekola kotsi ya bomme, kudu dinageng tšeo HIV e atilego kudu go swana le Afrika Borwa. Abstract in English and Sepedi

2026-10-30T00:00:00Z Malesa, Refiloe Petunia https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32434 2026-06-16T17:10:59Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Genomic profiling of Escherichia coli strains from food producing animals and animal derived food products in South Africa Malesa, Refiloe Petunia Escherichia coli is one of the most extensively studied bacterial species worldwide due to its remarkable adaptability, genomic diversity, and zoonotic potential. The increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among E. coli strains represents a growing public-health concern, particularly in countries such as South Africa where the consumption of animal-derived food products is widespread. However, E. coli is not exclusively associated with foods of animal origin only; it is also commonly detected in non-animal derived products such as fresh produce and water, highlighting the importance of investigating multiple sources. This study specifically focuses on isolates from animal derived food products and does not attempt to give a full representation of E. coli’s ecological distribution within South Africa. This study employed whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and comparative genomic approaches to characterize E. coli isolates from animals, meat, and meat products, focusing on phylogenetic assignment, virulence gene repertoire, mobile genetic elements, plasmid content, AMR determinants, and Type III Secretion System (T3SS) components. Isolates included in this study originated from food-producing animals and animal-derived products from species such as poultry, bovine, ovine and porcine, these products included processed meat, meat itself and faecal material from some of these species. Genomic DNA was extracted from isolates confirmed as E. coli and further sequenced using Illumina sequencing platforms. This was followed by quality assessement of the sequences, genome assembly and annotation. In this study, downstream analysis included serotyping of these isolates, determination of antimicrobial resistance, virulence genes, plasmid detection, and characterisation of CRISPR-Cas system. Comparative genomic analysis in this study included phylogenetic analysis of South African strains with publicly available African genomes. Based on WGS analysis of 35 isolates, five phylogroups (A, B1, B2, C, and E) were identified, with phylogroup A predominating (46%). Virulence profiling revealed that 69% of isolates were extra-intestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) and 31% intestinal pathogenic (InPEC), encompassing 23 serotypes and 19 sequence types (STs), the most common being ST1858, ST975, and ST10. A wide array of virulence and AMR genes, including those associated with transposons Tn2, IS26, and Tn6196, was detected, while the metal transport system resistance operon sitABCD was ubiquitous. Type I CRISPR systems were observed in all isolates, dominated by subtypes I-E (86%) and I-A (57%). In-silico analysis of T3SS revealed that only three isolates (11%) carried LEE-encoded structural genes (escV, escN, escD, escU) and effector proteins (espA, espD, espG, eae). Structural modeling confirmed the stability and functional conservation of EscV and EspA, suggesting an intact and potentially functional T3SS apparatus in localized EPEC strains the first such report from South Africa. Comparative genomic analysis of 159 E. coli ST10 genomes from 19 African countries revealed extensive intra-lineage diversity, with 71% of isolates being multidrug resistant and 29% carrying bla_CTX-M-15. Plasmid replicon analysis identified widespread IncFIB and ColRNAI plasmids strongly associated with AMR determinants. Collectively, these findings highlight the evolutionary plasticity, virulence potential, and One Health significance of E. coli lineages circulating in Africa, underscoring the urgent need for integrated genomic surveillance and targeted interventions to mitigate foodborne and zoonotic transmission risks.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Boshoff, Harriët Maria https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/31974 2024-11-28T13:53:48Z 2024-01-16T00:00:00Z

Exploring the potential contribution of organic community food gardens for sustainability: the perspective of cultivators and consumers Boshoff, Harriët Maria The exponential rise in global organic food product sales indicates a transformative shift in consumer preferences towards healthier, more sustainable, and environmentally conscious food choices. This qualitative study, grounded in an interpretivist paradigm, explored community food gardens’ potential contribution to sustainability based on cultivators of such gardens and consumers’ position on organic food products’ consumption in general. The research aimed to mitigate consumer barriers and enhance environmental, social, and economic sustainability for cultivators. Findings revealed South African consumers associated the term ‘organic’ with health and environmental benefits but stressed the need for accessible, affordable, and trustworthy organic food products. Consumers’ views on organic community gardens support sustainability, local engagement, and combating food scarcity. Cultivators emphasised fresh, nutritious produce and proposed educational programmes to overcome identified barriers. A holistic approach can optimise marketing opportunities, integrating word-of-mouth, online presence, education, and accessibility. The study recommends comprehensive consumer education, curricular integration, non-governmental organisation-led initiatives, transparent cultivator practices, supportive government policies, engagement with certification bodies, and targeted awareness campaigns to enhance consumer purchase intent and sustain local organic community gardens.

2024-01-16T00:00:00Z