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Bioethical analysis of COVID19, WASH/waste and related disaster management implications

  • Authors: Iheanetu, Chidinma Uchenna
  • Date: 2022-04-06
  • Subjects: Uncatalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/232250 , vital:49975
  • Description: Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Biotechnology Innovation Centre, 2022
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  • Date Issued: 2022-04-06

Exploring targeted metagenomics and untargeted metabolomics for characterising aquaponics bacterial ecology and phytochemistry

  • Authors: Abraham, Benjamin Melakail
  • Date: 2021-10-29
  • Subjects: Uncatalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/192453 , vital:45227
  • Description: Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Biochemistry and Microbiology, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-10-29

Potential of the Gravel Filter Towers, Pilot-scale Filter system and Biochar/Clay adsorbents for Bio-Physicochemical remediation and Desalination of greywater

  • Authors: Bani, Siphumze
  • Date: 2021-10-29
  • Subjects: Uncatalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/188375 , vital:44748
  • Description: Thesis embargoed until 2023 , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Rhodes University Biotechnology Innovation Centre, 2021
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  • Date Issued: 2021-10-29

Science engagement with school learners for microbial quality testing of water in Makhanda

  • Authors: Nqowana, Thandiswa
  • Date: 2020-04
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc (Pharmacy)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/124754 , vital:35677
  • Description: Expected release date-April 2022
  • Full Text: false
  • Date Issued: 2020-04

Exploration of challenges in bringing traditional medicine into SA’s healthcare system, using medicinal plants for treatment of waterborne diarrhoeal diseases as a case study

Citizen science, treatment and microbial compliance monitoring in rainwater harvesting in Namibia

  • Authors: Angala, Hallo Angaleni Nameya
  • Date: 2018
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62082 , vital:28105
  • Description: Expected release date-April 2020
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  • Date Issued: 2018

Investigating the viability and performance of a pilot scale Fly Ash/Lime Filter Tower (FLFT) for greywater treatment and the fate of Triclosan post treatment

  • Authors: Nondlazi, Sinoyolo
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Uncatalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/63704 , vital:28473
  • Description: Expected release date-April 2020
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  • Date Issued: 2018

An energy, water and disease disaster management module: a technoeconomic feasibility analysis

  • Authors: Nicholson, Thomas J
  • Date: 2017
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSC
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/65167 , vital:28700
  • Description: Intermittent energy and water supply are current challenges faced by many residents in South Africa. South Africa is one of the more water scarce countries in the world; this coupled with the lack of infrastructure makes it challenging to provide every citizen with their right to basic water and sanitation. With millennium development goal 7C not being addressed in many areas, residents experience sub-standard living conditions, which drastically increases the vulnerability of marginalised groups to epidemics. In the sustainable development goals improving sanitation and drinking water has been identified as one of the most effective and least expensive means of reducing fatalities and increasing public health. There is a need for a mobile laboratory that demonstrates power and water self-sufficiency, which is capable of on-site diagnosis and water treatment. The unit will have the ability to perform independent compliance monitoring of municipal water supply, treat inadequate water and provide surplus electricity to surrounding areas. A literature-based study was performed utilizing several scientific databases to identify current methods of power and water production in previous disaster management and humanitarian relief situations. Based on findings three example laboratories were theoretically designed; structural modelling, systems simulation and optimization and sensitivity analyses were performed with HOMER Pro, PackVol and SketchUp. A cost benefit analysis was performed with the social return on investment methodology. Novel human waste processing was performed with fly ash and simulated faeces. Bacterial species identification in ice samples was performed with the API 20E protocol and limited equipment as a proof of concept for field deployment. A hybrid system consisting of PV panels, a wind turbine and biomass generator showed promise for displaced humanitarian relief camps; with every 1 ZAR capital invested resulting in 3.13 ZAR social benefit. A system consisting of PV panels and a battery bank proved to have the least environmental impact and the grid supply laboratory showed a cheaper cost of energy alternative for needs provision. Fly ash showed potential as in nutrient recovery and as a fertility aid to soil. The units developed function as a means to increase disaster preparedness and humanitarian relief as well a means to improve quality of life for rural marginalize populations.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Sorptive and microbial properties of low-cost adsorbents used in the extraction of ciprofloxacin and isoniazid from aqueous solution

  • Authors: Dube, Cyril Simbarashe
  • Date: 2017
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSC
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59178 , vital:27450
  • Description: This work describes how coal fly ash (FA), kaolinite, perlite, talc and vermiculite were used to remove ciprofloxacin and isoniazid from aqueous solutions. The adsorptive features of the adsorbents were evaluated for ciprofloxacin and isoniazid with regards to the effects of contact time, pH, solid/liquid ratio and antibiotic concentration. All adsorbents were sterilised by dry heat before use to avoid the proliferation of antimicrobial resistance by the bacteria present on the adsorbents during experiments. The regression correlation coefficients indicate that the linearised form of the Langmuir isotherm gives the best fit for the sorption of both antibiotics onto FA and talc, ciprofloxacin onto kaolinite, and isoniazid onto perlite and vermiculite with R2 values ranging from 0.908 - 0.999. The linearised form of the Freundlich isotherm best describes the sorption of ciprofloxacin onto vermiculite and isoniazid onto kaolinite with R2 values of 0.999 for both. The linearised form of the Temkin isotherm best describes the sorption of ciprofloxacin onto perlite with an R2 = 0.997. The values of the Freundlich exponent, 1/n, range from 0.221 - 0.998, indicating a favourable adsorption of ciprofloxacin and isoniazid onto the adsorbents. The heat of sorption, B, calculated from the Temkin plots has values ranging from 0.018 - 10.460 J/mol, indicating a physical adsorption process (physisorption). Adsorption equilibrium on all adsorbents was achieved after 30 min for both antibiotics and the kinetic data obtained conforms best to the pseudo-second order equation with R2 values ranging from 0.998 - 0.999. The removal of ciprofloxacin and isoniazid by all adsorbents except FA was strongly influenced by the pH suggesting that electrostatic interactions play a major role in the adsorption processes. All adsorbents except FA removed showed excellent adsorption of ciprofloxacin from aqueous solutions with all of them achieving removals ranging from 80 - 99%. The adsorbents were less efficient in removing isoniazid and kaolinite gave the highest removal of 55 %. Furthermore, the microbial quality of the adsorbents was investigated and the results revealed that kaolinite, talc, perlite and vermiculite were heavily contaminated with microorganisms. FA was sterile. The fungi isolated from the mineral adsorbents were in concentrations ranging from 2.13 x 106 to 1.25 x 107 CFU/g and were mostly moulds; Penicillium spp., Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, Cladosporium spp. and Rhizopus oryzae. One yeast was isolated and was identified as Candida albicans. The bacteria identified were in concentrations ranging from 4.96 x 106 - 1.19 x 109 CFU/g. E. coli, Enterobacter cloacae, Exiguobacterium spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus spp. and Serratia liquefaciens. The leachability index (LI) values obtained for adsorbents indicated that it is highly unlikely that microorganisms could be leached out of the adsorbents by rain. Heat inactivation of the microorganisms at a 105 °C was totally unsuccessful. However, it was established that a dry heat dose of 160 °C for at least 15 min was sufficient to eradicate all microorganisms present in the adsorbents. The D-values for coliform bacteria from all samples were very similar ranging from 1.7-2.2 min indicating homogeneity in heat resistance by the microorganisms. The Pseudomonas aureginosa isolated had a D-value of 2.2 min. The fungi isolated from the samples had D-values ranging from 2.1-3.2 min.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel thiazole-based compounds

  • Authors: Olawode, Emmanual Oladayo
  • Date: 2016
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62955 , vital:28325
  • Description: Thesis embargoed for one-year period. Expected date of release: April 2019
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  • Date Issued: 2016

Modification and application of the decentralised wastewater treatment technology for greywater treatment to reduce water needs

  • Authors: Ngqwala, Nosiphiwe Patience
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Uncatalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/193509 , vital:45338
  • Description: Water is a scarce resource that is being acknowledged as a limiting factor to further social- economic growth and development. Demand for freshwater is increasing with corresponding increases in human population, industrial and agricultural activities. Alternative sources, such as greywater and rainwater are often polluted. Though greywater can be used for non-potable purposes, such as irrigation, it still requires some measures of treatment to improve its quality. To improve on greywater quality to facilitate its reuse, decentralised wastewater treatment technologies carry a great potential as complementary and alternative means of wastewater management particularly in peri-urban areas. Five research goals are addressed in this thesis: (i) to monitor the performance of Fly Ash Lime Filter Tower (FLFT) in the treatment of greywater; (ii) to modify the Fly Ash Lime Filter Tower in the treatment of greywater in order to reduce the pH of the greywater, and improved on the reduction of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and coliform counts; (iii) to investigate the potential of the reuse of greywater for irrigation; (iv) to undertake a techno analysis of the FLFT system for commercial use; and (v) to evaluate the use of hydrogen-sulphide (H2S) test kit to monitor faecal contamination of various water sources using a multidisciplinary approach. The modification of the FLFT indicated good treatment efficiency, reducing the concentrations of COD, chlorides, nitrates, ammonia and sulphate by 82.6%, 60.4%, 72.9%, 60.5%, and 53.9%, respectively; while the average pH was at 8.3. Greywater contains nutrients that are beneficial to the growth of most plants. Growth variables included biomass, stem height, number of leaves and number of vegetables harvested. Soil analysis showed no effects of the treated greywater on soil physico-chemical and microbial quality with bulk density 2.0g/cm3, average pH 7.4, total phosphorus 0.16mg/L 8, faecal coliform 0.3 CFU/100 ml. The tomatoes had high biomass and dry weight (150 g; 33g) than beetroot (35 g; 15 g). Crops irrigated with greywater significantly grew faster compared with those irrigated with tap water. The community approach highlighted the value of knowledge management in greywater reuse. It highlighted the importance of creating an institutional knowledge in water management using the H2S kit. The techno-economic analysis was used to evaluate key factors and the activities that are relevant to develop a sustainable FLFT in order to gain insights into the possibility of developing, and incorporating a business model framework to support decision making in value creation and value capturing during the research and the scaling up of the system. By this, a long term perspective to accomplish sustainable FLFT service businesses can be achieved. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharmacy, 2015
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  • Date Issued: 2015

Modification and application of the decentralised wastewater treatment technology for greywater treatment to reduce water needs

  • Authors: Ngqwala, Nosiphiwe P
  • Date: 2015
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/103714 , vital:32290
  • Description: Expected release date-April 2017
  • Full Text: false
  • Date Issued: 2015

Faecal source tracking and water quality in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

  • Authors: Luyt, Catherine Diane
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Water quality -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Waterborne infection -- Management , Drinking water -- Contamination -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: vital:6052 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018242
  • Description: Water quality is concerning as many still lack access to safe drinking water. Alternate sources such as rivers (FC up to 1600 CFUs/100 mL) and rainwater are often polluted. Rainwater tanks require maintenance to improve water quality, but could be used for non-potable purposes or irrigation. Grahamstown infrastructural failures initiate deviations from DWAF 1996 domestic water guidelines for microorganisms within the distribution system. Frequent testing can decrease risks of waterborne diseases. Limitations to this are inaccessibility of rural areas, distances from testing centres and costs. The low cost H2S strip test able to be used onsite by communities, may aid in risk assessment. H2S strip test results are not affected by sulphate (14 to 4240 mg/L) or nitrite (up to 47 mg/L). Transportation of the H2S strip tests between 10 and 32°C does not modify results significantly. Similarly to other studies: Klebsiella spp.; Enterobacter spp. and Serratia spp. were isolated from H2S strip tests. The mH2S strip test corresponds best with HPC in treated water, while in untreated river water it has approximately 90% correspondence with FCs, while survival of FC causes discrepancies with the H2S test after 22 days. A faecal coliform inactivation rate of 0.1 CFUs/ day, may be longer than many pathogens. Faecal source tracking, not currently practised in South Africa, could aid health risk assessments for disaster management, which would improve the NMMP programme. Bacterial survival times could propose the time period for which water is unsafe. Bifidobacteria and Rhodococcus are proposed to help identify the faecal pollution source. But enumeration of Rhodococcus is too lengthy (21 days). The tracking ratio of bifidobacteria (between 0.1 to 6.25) is not source definitive. The bifidobacteria survival rate, could indicator the time since faecal pollution. The bifidobacteria average survival rate is 2.3 CFUs per day for both groups. The culturability and selectivity of agar is still poor, with total bifidobacteria less selectively culturable. Enterococci overgrowth of TB was decreased by Beerens media. SUB is still useful to identify potential human faecal inputs. A single tracking method is thus not suitable alone, but requires a combination of techniques.
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  • Date Issued: 2013

The development of an in vitro system for the production of drug metabolites using microsomal enzymes from bovine liver

  • Authors: Morrison, Roxanne
  • Date: 2011
  • Subjects: Drugs -- Metabolism , Xenobiotics -- Metabolism , Metabolites , Drugs -- Testing , Toxicity testing -- In vitro , Doping in horse racing -- Control -- Research
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:4087 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007698 , Drugs -- Metabolism , Xenobiotics -- Metabolism , Metabolites , Drugs -- Testing , Toxicity testing -- In vitro , Doping in horse racing -- Control -- Research
  • Description: Drug metabolism is a specialised subset of xenobiotic metabolism, pertaining to the breakdown and elimination of pharmaceutical drugs. The enzymes involved in these pathways are the cytochrome P450 family of isozymes. Metabolism is an important factor in determining the pharmacological effects of drugs. The main aim of this study was to develop a system whereby the major metabolites of drugs can be produced in vitro. An in vitro system was developed and optimised using commercially prepared microsomes from rat liver and coumarin (by monitoring its conversion to 7-hydroxycoumarin) as a model. The optimum running conditions for the incubations were 50 μM coumarin, 50 μg protein/ml microsomes, 1 mM NADP⁺, 5 mM G6P and 1U/ml G6PDH incubated for 30 minutes at 38℃. The HPLC method for the detection of coumarin and 7-hydroxycoumarin was also validated with respect to linearity, reproducibility, precision, accuracy and lower limits of detection and quantification. The system developed was then tested using microsomes prepared from fresh bovine liver on these ten drugs of interest in doping control in horse racing: diazepam, nordiazepam, oxazepam, promazine, acepromazine, chlorpromazine, morphine, codeine, etoricoxib and lumiracoxib. The bovine liver microsomes were prepared using differential centrifugation and had activity on a par with the commercial preparations. This in vitro system metabolised the drugs and produced both phase I and II metabolites, similar to those observed in humans and horses in vivo. For example, the major metabolites of the benzodiazepine drug, diazepam, nordiazepam, temazepam and oxazepam as well as the glucuronidated phase II products were all found after incubations with the bovine liver microsomes. The metabolism of the drugs was also investigated in silico using the computational procedure, MetaSite. MetaSite was able to successfully predict known metabolites for most of the drugs studied. Differences were observed from the in vitro incubations and this is most likely due to MetaSite using only human cytochrome P450s for analysis.
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  • Date Issued: 2011

Bioethanol production from waste paper through fungal biotechnology

  • Authors: Voigt, Paul George
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Biomass energy , Cellulose -- Biodegradation , Waste paper -- Recycling , Biomass chemicals -- Economic aspects , Renewable energy sources , Fungi -- Biotechnology , Enzymes -- Biotechnology
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , MSc , Masters
  • Identifier: vital:3861 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013447
  • Description: Bioethanol is likely to be a large contributor to the fuel sector of industry in the near future. Current research trends are geared towards utilizing food crops as substrate for bioethanol fermentation; however, this is the source of much controversy. Utilizing food crops for fuel purposes is anticipated to cause massive food shortages worldwide. Cellulose is the most abundant renewable resource on earth and is subject to a wide array of scientific study in order to utilize the glucose contained within it. Waste paper has a high degree of cellulose associated with it, which makes it an ideal target for cellulose biotechnology with the ultimate end goal of bioethanol production. This study focussed on producing the necessary enzymes to hydrolyse the cellulose found in waste paper and using the sugars produced to produce ethanol. The effects of various printing inks had on the production of sugars and the total envirorunental impact of the effluents produced during the production line were also examined. It was found that the fungus Trichoderma longibrachiatum DSM 769 grown in Mandel's medium with waste newspaper as the sole carbon source at 28 °C for 6 days produced extracellular cellulase enzymes with an activity of 0.203 ± 0.009 FPU.ml⁻¹, significantly higher activity as compared to other paper sources. This extracellular cellulase was used to hydrolyse waste newspaper and office paper, with office paper yielding the highest degree of sugar production with an end concentration of 5.80 ± 0.19 g/1 at 40 °C. Analysis by HPLC showed that although glucose was the major product at 4.35 ± 0.12 g/1, cellobiose was also produced in appreciable amounts (1.97 ± 0.71 g/1). The sugar solution was used as a substrate for Saccharomyces cerevisiae DSM 1333 and ethanol was produced at a level of 1.79 ± 0.26 g/1, the presence of which was confirmed by a 600 MHz NMR spectrum. It was found that cellobiose was not fermented by this strain of S. cerevisiae. Certain components of inks (the PAHs phenanthrene and naphthalene) were found to have a slight inhibitory effect (approximately 15% decrease) on the cellulase enzymes at very high concentrations (approximately 600 μg/1 in aqueous medium), while anthracene had no effect. Whole newsprint ink was shown not to sorb glucose. The environmental analysis of the effluents produced showed that in order for the effluents to be discharged into an aqueous ecosystem they would have to be diluted up to 200 times. They were also shown to have the potential to cause severe machinery damage if reused without proper treatment.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2010
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