School of Agriculture and Life Sciences

A model to achieve continuous improvement and innovation in the freshwater production of the sharptooth catfish, clarias gariepinus, in South Africa

Mon, 22 Aug 2022 00:00:00 GMT

A model to achieve continuous improvement and innovation in the freshwater production of the sharptooth catfish, clarias gariepinus, in South Africa Moroasui, Yvonne Matebo Global population is ever - increasing and demand for animal nutrition is also on the rise. Fish is considered to be the healthiest food on the planet and less harmful to the environment. People rely on the oceans for their daily protein intake. Capture fisheries is near extinction and aquaculture is identified as a solution to address this gab. Aquaculture has played a critical role in global food security and has grown ever – since 1970 by 7.5% yearly. Aquaculture businesses in South Africa are producing less than 1% of global production. Aquaculture small businesses are not profitable and „business as usual approach‟ is not enough to develop viable businesses. New innovative ways of producing more food and improving nutrition are essential. Continuous Improvement and Innovation (C I& I) is a business management strategy that concentrates thinking and action on the things that makes the real difference and was identified as a solution to disrupt businesses with the aim of achieving improvement and innovation and acquire profit. The study was conducted in five provinces of South Africa using mixed-method research methodology underpinned by paradigms, methodology, core methods and CI & I tools. Focus groups, in - depth - interviews, field notes, questionnaire and experiment were used as data collection instruments. The CI & I model is made of eight steps which are focus, situation analysis, impact and influence, action design, action implementation, performance assessment, creation & synthesis and refocus. The results showed that 30 projects were interested in the study and the opportunity of being involved in the study was high with mean score of 9 articulating that CI & I was a teaching and guiding process and it gave hope. Cycle 1 revealed that 87% partners focused on owning viable and sustainable businesses that generated income and created employment. In situational analysis, 93% of partners needed to secure market; 70% articulated lack of water; 13% reported lack of electricity. Impact and Influence revealed that 68% projects reported securing market access and improving water access as opportunities with high impact and influence. A total of 64% reported improving feed supply as critical; 54% increase number of ponds; 50% obtain equipments; 43% improve skills; 39% reported preventing predation and increasing number of fish; 36% obtain funding; 32% improving security; 21% establish accredited processing facility and improve electrical works. According to the profit driver tree the strongest drivers in the study were marketing, genetics, nutrition and management. In action design: the action was to secure local market via a questionnaire, to secure off- takes at a required price, branding, design business cards and posters and advertise on radio, shops and billboards. The action to have water access was to drill boreholes and obtain water licenses. The action for improving feed supply was to determine the effect of locally available food such as live earthworms and tilapia fish on the growth of catfish and demonstrate the applicability of the model in real life researches. The action for improving technical skills was attending practical training. The action for improving security was to install security fencing and also purchase equipments for fish harvesting and processing. The action to obtain funding was to apply to government, banks and other private businesses (sponsors). Action implementation: Business stickers were designed and a date on local radio station was secured, social media page was created. The site where experiment was conducted was prepared and experimental materials were out-sourced and the experiment was conducted. Dates were secured for the training venue and the trainer. Quotations were obtained for the fencing and some partners were designing a trapping machine. Communication was not received on the progress of the construction of fish processing plant. In performance assessment: market access, signed orders for potential customers were secured. Signed orders for market liaison to fit product to market was also achieved. Small- scale partners had a secured market due to the newly completed processing plant. The results from earthworm experiment were analyzed. Creation & Synthesis revealed that 22% of the project were not registered and lacked funding; and they needed to obtain funding and develop a business plan. 27% of partners required funding to realize businesses growth. Refocus was to obtain funding and be involved in the development of a business plan. The study contributed to real life experiences of farmers in catfish farming who worked on a rigorous and spiraling CI & I model. Issues such as market, funding, nutrition, management and electricity were strongest drivers that required attention for small business to become profitable and sustainable. The outcomes would contribute significantly to aquaculture policy makers and managers in South Africa for improved development of the sector.

An econometric analysis of the cost of fruit and vegetable waste in retail operations in Durban City, KwaZulu-Natal Province

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT

An econometric analysis of the cost of fruit and vegetable waste in retail operations in Durban City, KwaZulu-Natal Province Khuzwayo, Makhosazane Food waste has become a major global sustainability challenge with significant envi-ronmental, economic, and social implications. In South Africa, approximately 10.3 mil-lion tonnes of food are wasted annually, resulting in substantial economic losses across the food supply chain. Despite increasing concern regarding food waste, lim-ited empirical research has focused on the economic costs and operational determi-nants of fruit and vegetable waste within retail operations particularly in urban contexts such as Durban. This study aimed to quantify the cost and monetary value of fruit and vegetable waste in retail operations in Durban City, KwaZulu-Natal Province and to identify the factors influencing waste generation. The study further sought to propose pathways for reduc-ing fruit and vegetable waste within retail environments. A positivist research paradigm and quantitative cross-sectional research design were adopted. Data was collected from 100 selected retail stores located within the Durban Central Business District using structured questionnaires, waste composition analysis, and direct observation methods. Cluster sampling was used to group retail stores within four precincts of Durban CBD. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, multiple linear regres-sion and ordinal logistic regression through SPSS and Microsoft Excel. The findings revealed that leafy vegetables constituted the highest category of fruit and vegetable waste while berries generated relatively lower waste volumes but higher monetary losses due to their high market value. The multiple regression model indi-cated that the predictor variables collectively explained a significant proportion of the variation in food waste costs (R2=0.971, p<0.001). However, at the individual level, only the total quantity of fruits and vegetables sold per month significantly influenced food waste costs, while landfill disposal costs were not statistically significant inde-pendent predictor. The ordinal logistic regression results showed that none of the op-erational predictor variables independently explained food waste generation, suggest-ing that food waste within retail environments is systemic and multifactorial. Retailers identified infrastructure limitations, handling practices, demand forecasting chal-lenges, and awareness as important contributors to food waste generation. The study viii contributes to the limited body of knowledge on retail fruit and vegetable waste quan-tification within South Africa and provides evidence-based recommendations aligned with the National Waste Management Strategy (NWMS). The study recommends in-tegrated interventions focusing on awareness, improved planning and forecasting, in-frastructure investment, redistribution initiatives and technology-based waste manage-ment systems to reduce fruit and vegetable waste within retail operations.; Imfucuza yokudla isibe yinselele enkulu yokuzinza emhlabeni wonke enemiphumela ebalulekile kwezemvelo, kwezomnotho, kanye nakwezenhlalo. ENingizimu Afrika, cishe amathani ayizigidi eziyi-10.3 okudla ayachithwa minyaka yonke, okuholela eku-lahlekelweni okukhulu kwezomnotho kulo lonke uchungechunge lokuhlinzekwa ko-kudla. Naphezu kokukhathazeka okwandayo mayelana nemfucuza yokudla, ucwan-ingo olulinganiselwe olusekelwe emibonweni luye lwagxila ezindleleni zomnotho kanye nasezicini zokusebenza kwemfucuza yezithelo nemifino emisebenzini yokuthengisa ikakhulukazi ezindaweni zasemadolobheni njengeTheku. Lolu cwaningo luhlose ukulinganisa izindleko kanye nenani lemali lemfucuza yezithelo nemifino emisebenzini yokuthengisa eDolobheni laseTheku, eSifundazweni saKwa-Zulu-Natali kanye nokuhlonza izici ezithonya ukukhiqizwa kwemfucuza. Ucwaningo luqhubeke nokuzama izindlela zokunciphisa imfucuza yezithelo nemifino ezindaweni zokuthengisa. Kwamukelwa indlela yokucwaninga ekhuthazayo kanye nomklamo wocwaningo oluhlanganisa izingxenye eziningana. Idatha yaqoqwa ezitolo zo-kuthengisa eziyi-100 ezikhethiwe eziseSifundeni Sebhizinisi Esiphakathi saseT-hekwini kusetshenziswa imibuzo ehlelekile, ukuhlaziywa kokwakheka kwemfucuza, kanye nezindlela zokubuka ngqo. Ukusampula kweqembu kwasetshenziswa ukuqoqa izitolo zokuthengisa ngaphakathi kwezindawo ezine ze-CBD yaseThekwini. Idatha yahlaziywa kusetshenziswa izibalo ezichazayo, ukuhlehla okuqondile okuningi kanye nokuhlehla kwe-ordinal logistic nge-SPSS kanye ne-Microsoft Excel. Okutholakele kwembule ukuthi imifino enamaqabunga yakha isigaba esiphezulu sem-fucuza yezithelo nemifino kuyilapho amajikijolo ekhiqiza inani eliphansi lemfucuza kodwa elahlekelwa kakhulu yimali ngenxa yenani lawo eliphezulu lemakethe. Imodeli yokubuyela emuva okuningi ibonise ukuthi iziguquguquli zokubikezela zichaze ingxenye enkulu yokwehluka kwezindleko zemfucuza yokudla (R2=0.971, p<0.001). Kodwa-ke, ezingeni lomuntu ngamunye, inani eliphelele lezithelo nemifino ethen-giswayo ngenyanga kuphela elithonye kakhulu izindleko zemfucuza yokudla, kuyilapho izindleko zokulahla imfucuza zazingeyona into ebikezela ngokuzimela ebaluleke kakhulu ngokwezibalo. Imiphumela yokubuyela emuva kwe-ordinal logistic ibonise ukuthi azikho iziguquguquli zokusebenza ezichaza ngokuzimela ukukhiqizwa x kwemfucuza yokudla, okuphakamisa ukuthi imfucuza yokudla ezindaweni zo-kuthengisa ihlelekile futhi inezici eziningi. Abathengisi bathole imikhawulo yengqal-asizinda, imikhuba yokuphatha, izinselele zokubikezela isidingo, kanye nokuqwashisa njengezinto ezibalulekile ezibangela ukukhiqizwa kwemfucuza yokudla. Ucwaningo lufaka isandla olwazini olulinganiselwe mayelana nokulinganiswa kwemfucuza yezithelo nemifino ezitolo eNingizimu Afrika futhi lunikeza izincomo ezisekelwe ebufa-kazini ezihambisana ne-National Waste Management Strategy (NWMS). Ucwaningo luncoma ukungenelela okuhlanganisiwe okugxile ekuqwashiseni, ekuhleleni naseku-bikezeleni okuthuthukisiwe, ekutshalweni kwezimali kwengqalasizinda, ekusat-shalalisweni kabusha kwezinhlelo kanye nezinhlelo zokuphathwa kwemfucuza esekelwe kubuchwepheshe ukuze kuncishiswe imfucuza yezithelo nemifino emisebenzini yokuthengisa.; Voedselvermorsing het 'n groot wêreldwye volhoubaarheidsuitdaging geword met beduidende omgewings-, ekonomiese en sosiale implikasies. In Suid-Afrika word on-geveer 10,3 miljoen ton voedsel jaarliks vermors, wat lei tot aansienlike ekonomiese verliese regdeur die voedselvoorsieningsketting. Ten spyte van toenemende kommer oor voedselvermorsing, het beperkte empiriese navorsing gefokus op die ekonomiese koste en operasionele determinante van vrugte- en groentevermorsing binne klein-handelbedrywighede, veral in stedelike kontekste soos Durban. Herdie studie het ten doel gehad om die koste en monetêre waarde van vrugte- en groentevermorsing in kleinhandelbedrywighede in Durban Stad, KwaZulu-Natal Provinsie, te kwantifiseer en die faktore wat afvalgenerering beïnvloed, teidentifiseer. Die studie het verder gepoog om paaie voor te stel vir die vermindering van vrugte- en groentevermorsing binne kleinhandelomgewings. 'n Positivistiese navorsingspara-digma en kwantitatiewe dwarssnitnavorsingsontwerp is aangeneem. Data is in-gesamel van 100 geselekteerde kleinhandelwinkels in die Durban Sentrale Sakege-bied deur gebruik te maak van gestruktureerde vraelyste, afvalsamestellingsanalise en direkte waarnemingsmetodes. Trossteekproefneming is gebruik om kleinhandel-winkels binne vier gebiede van Durban CBD te groepeer. Data is geanaliseer met behulp van beskrywende statistieke, veelvuldige lineêre regressie en ordinale logistiese regressie deur SPSS en Microsoft Excel. Die bevindinge het aan die lig gebring dat blaargroente die hoogste kategorie van vrugte- en groente-afval uitmaak, terwyl bessies relatief laer afvalvolumes, maar hoër monetêre verliese as gevolg van hul hoë markwaarde, gegenereer het. Die meervoudige regressiemodel het aangedui dat die voorspellerveranderlikes gesamentlik 'n beduidende deel van die variasie in voedselafvalkoste verklaar het (R2=0.971, p<0.001). Op individuele vlak het slegs die totale hoeveelheid vrugte en groente wat per maand verkoop is, egter voedselafvalkoste beduidend beïnvloed, ter-wyl stortingsterreinverwyderingskoste nie statisties beduidende onafhanklike voor-speller was nie. Die ordinale logistiese regressie-resultate het getoon dat geeneen van die operasionele voorspellerveranderlikes onafhanklik die opwekking van voed-selafval verklaar het nie, wat daarop dui dat voedselafval binne kleinhandelomgewings xii sistemies en multifaktoriaal is. Kleinhandelaars het infrastruktuurbeperkings, hanter-ingspraktyke, vraagvoorspellingsuitdagings en bewustheid as belangrike bydraers tot die opwekking van voedselafval geïdentifiseer. Die studie dra by tot die beperkte hoev-eelheid kennis oor die kwantifisering van kleinhandel-vrugte- en groente-afval in Suid-Afrika en verskaf bewysgebaseerde aanbevelings wat in lyn is met die Nasionale Afvalbestuurstrategie (NWMS). Die studie beveel geïntegreerde intervensies aan wat fokus op bewustheid, verbeterde beplanning en voorspelling, infrastruktuurbelegging, herverdelingsinisiatiewe en tegnologie-gebaseerde afvalbestuurstelsels om vrugte- en groentevermorsing binne kleinhandelbedrywighede te verminder.

Effect of preservatives and storage conditions on quality of Marula (Sclerocarya birrea) fruit juice

Sat, 01 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT

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

Determination of the nutritional and phytochemical composition of monsonia burkeana (special tea) and its potential anti-proliferative effects on cancer cell lines

Sat, 01 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Determination of the nutritional and phytochemical composition of monsonia burkeana (special tea) and its potential anti-proliferative effects on cancer cell lines Ngwenya, Sandile Manzi Traditional medicinal plants have long been used to treat ailments in humans and animals. Africa is rich in such plants, many of which have been studied for bioactivities like anticancer, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects, though many remain uncharacterized. Monsonia burkeana (“special tea”) is widely consumed for its health benefits, usually as a decoction. Its antimicrobial properties are known; however, its phytotoxicity and antiproliferative activities remain underexplored. Elucidating these could benefit both traditional medicine and the pharmaceutical industry. This study aimed to investigate the effects of drying methods on the nutritional composition of special tea, identify bioactive compounds in its crude extract, and evaluate antiproliferative activities in cancer cell lines, offering insights for pharmaceutical development and commercial potential. The specific objectives included assessing nutritional composition, profiling bioactive compounds, and testing cytotoxicity against lung, colorectal, and liver cancer cell lines. Samples from Sekhukhune, Lanseria, Brits, and Rietondale were dried using shade, oven, and freeze-drying methods. Nutritional elements were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), phytochemicals profiled using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and anticancer properties evaluated through the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and caspase-3 activity assays. The results demonstrated a consistent elemental composition across all regions, with all 24 elements present in each sample and collection region. NMR analysis identified phenols, alkyls, esters, and ethers, while GC×GC/TOF-MS detected various bioactive compounds, including oxalic acid, β-caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide, phytol, squalene, and vitamin E. LC-MS analysis confirmed the presence of additional key phytochemicals such as castalagin, vescalagin, acutissimin B, epicatechin, citroside, trifolin, 1,6-digalloyl-beta-D-glucopyranose, 5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3-{[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy}-4H-chromen-4-one, and puerarin 4',6''-diacetate. The MTT assay revealed significant cytotoxic activity against lung and liver cancer lines, however, activity against the colorectal cancer cell line was lower compared to that demonstrated against the other two cancerous cell lines. In conclusion, the combination of essential micro- and macronutrients, bioactive phytochemicals, and demonstrated cytotoxic effects against cancer cell lines highlights the medicinal value of M. burkeana plants. The study provides strong evidence that Monsonia burkeana is a promising alternative for cancer treatment. These findings not only validate its traditional use and benefits over the years but also highlight its potential for pharmaceutical applications.