https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Index ${session.getAttribute("locale")} 5 https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:41962 Wed 26 Oct 2022 16:01:49 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:38989 Wed 21 Jul 2021 13:20:55 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:38577 Wed 12 Oct 2022 12:44:54 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:30568 Wed 12 Oct 2022 12:01:14 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:41444 Wed 12 Oct 2022 11:47:03 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:37957 Wed 12 May 2021 23:45:28 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:37968 Wed 12 May 2021 22:47:28 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:30035 Wed 12 May 2021 22:23:52 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:37991 Wed 12 May 2021 22:19:41 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:37937 Wed 12 May 2021 20:49:13 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:38196 Wed 12 May 2021 20:32:21 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:39507 0.05). The HRAP produced more biomass (317.18±27.76 g/m3) than the AS (83.12±64.91 g/m3), which resulted in a significantly greater downstream production of biogas and fertiliser per volume of effluent treated. According to the LCA, this also resulted in the HRAP system having a higher terrestrial ecotoxicity, due to the greater volume of solids and thus heavy metals applied to the soil. This interpretation can be misleading, because the mass of heavy metals released into the environment is the same for both systems, with a greater portion being applied to the land in the HRAP scenario and discharged into fresh water in the case of AS. Future LCA models should clarify if these biomasses are going to be applied to a single piece of land or multiple sites as this will influence the risk of contamination via pollutant build up in the soil. The application of sludge or algae on soil increased the soil’s sodium concentration and sodium absorption ratio from 774.80±13.66 mg/kg to 952.17±34.89 mg/kg and 2.91±0.04 to 3.53±0.13, respectively. Regulations on the application of algae or sludge on agricultural soils should be altered to consider the limit values for sodium and future LCA’s associated with effluent treatment facilities should incorporate the possibility of soil contamination through sodium build-up. This work also conceptualised the importance of reporting water emissions in wastewater treatment LCA in as much detail as possible, because this had a significant influence on the eutrophication impacts on water systems. Reporting water emissions as total nitrogen underestimated downstream eutrophication impacts compared with those using nitrogen-species concentration (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate etc). A marine eutrophication sensitivity co-efficient should be included in future LCA models which accounts for the probability of nitrogen and phosphorus emissions entering the coastal environment as well as the vulnerability of the marine environment to eutrophication. Activated sludge systems are favourable for situations where space is limited, were there are inadequate options for biomass disposal (biomass not be used in agriculture or AD) and were electricity is generated from a renewable source; whereas, HRAP are more suitable under circumstances where electricity production relies on fossil fuel that carries a high environmental impact and where options are available to use the biomass for economic gain such as biogas and fertiliser production. This thesis contributes towards a zero-waste brewery effluent treated process. The HRAP and AS treated effluent for reuse in the brewery or in agricultural irrigation. The solids were anaerobically digested, and the carbon was recovered as a biogas, while the digestate was applied as an agricultural fertiliser. This allowed for the recovery of water, nutrients and carbon.]]> Wed 12 May 2021 20:28:34 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:38082 Wed 12 May 2021 20:25:24 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:35540 Wed 12 May 2021 20:16:31 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:37895 Wed 12 May 2021 19:44:31 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:38318 Wed 12 May 2021 19:43:08 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:37810 Wed 12 May 2021 19:28:59 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:34663 Wed 12 May 2021 19:23:48 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:34273 Wed 12 May 2021 19:20:56 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:37897 Wed 12 May 2021 19:08:27 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:38425 Wed 12 May 2021 18:38:04 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:38091 Wed 12 May 2021 18:26:49 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:38249 10, 000 km2) systems. However, there was variability in infertility response between lionesses including adverse reactions in a small proportion of treated individuals. The number of resident prides and male coalitions in a reserve affected lion social behaviour. Lionesses formed larger groups in reserves with a higher density of unknown adult female neighbours, likely driven by territory defence. Lion prides with resident cubs were generally more fragmented, likely in response to reduced competition from unknown adult males. However, in areas with a high density of unknown adult female neighbours, prides with cubs formed larger groups likely in response to heightened territory defence. Therefore, with smaller foraging group sizes, predation rate was increased in reserves with reduced competition from unknown lions. My study supports a metapopulation approach for the management of lions in small, fenced reserves, and the standardisation of lion management procedures and database management. Endorsed by the Biodiversity Management Plan for lions in South Africa, this will enhance the long-term conservation potential of isolated populations.]]> Wed 12 May 2021 18:16:51 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:39025 Wed 12 May 2021 18:11:47 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:37907 20-40mm), swimmers, flattened body shape, a preference for temporary attachment, crawling, respiration with aerial/vegetation, possession of breathing tubes, possession of strap or other apparatus for respiration, streamlined body, and a high sensitivity to oxygen depletion. Permanent attachment as an ecological preference associated with LIS was also positively correlated with increasing dissolved oxygen (DO) and was deemed a pollution sensitive ecological preference. The possession of very small body size (<5mm), associated with HIS, was deemed a pollution-tolerant trait and was negatively correlated with DO, confirming the deteriorating state of the urban and urban-agricultural rivers. The impact of urban-forestry pollution on the distribution pattern of macroinvertebrate traits and ecological preferences was also explored in the selected rivers. Traits and ecological preferences such as possession of hard-shell, large body size, and grazing as a feeding preference which were significantly positively associated with the LIS, were also either significantly positively correlated with DO, or significantly negatively correlated with increasing any two of flow velocity, water temperature, BOD5 and nutrient. These traits and ecological preferences were deemed sensitive in forested rivers receiving urban pollution. Further, burrowing, the pupa aquatic stage, and predation which were significantly positively associated with HIS on the RLQ ordination, were also significantly negatively associated with DO. These traits were deemed tolerant of forested systems receiving urban pollution. Multimetric indices (MMI) were developed, validated and applied for urban, urban-agriculture and urban-forested (MMI-urban, MMI-urban-agric and urban-forest) areas. Of the 26 metrics that satisfactorily discriminated between the LIS, the MIS, and the HIS for MMI-urban, only five metric were retained for integration into MMI-urban, they are log VeL, Hemiptera abundance, % Coleoptera + Hemiptera, % Chironomidae + Oligochaeta and Evenness index. Further, of the 18 metrics that satisfactorily discriminated between the LIS, the MIS, and the HIS for MMI-urban-agric, only 12 metrics were retained and nine proved to be redundant. The nine metrics represent different measures; two of them were retained in addition to Chironomidae/Diptera abundance, % Odonata and Oligochaeta richness. The two metrics selected in addition to the hironomidae/Diptera abundance, % Odonata and Oligochaeta richness were the Margalef index and the logarithm of relative abundance of sprawler. For the MMI-urban-forest, 14 metrics satisfactorily discriminated between the LIS, the MIS, and the HIS, and 12 metrics were retained and 11 proved to be redundant. The non-redundant metric was Trichoptera abundance. Three metrics were further selected in addition to the Trichoptera abundance which include % Chironomidae + Oligochaeta, Coleoptera + Hemiptera richness and Shannon diversity. The MMI-urban and MMI-urban-agric indices performed better for LIS designated stations compared to the MIS and HIS deignated stations. The developed indices proved effective as biomonitoring tools for assessing the ecological health of rivers in the urban and urban-agriculture catchments within the Niger Delta. Overall, the results of the macroinvertebrate traits and ecological preferences, and taxonomic approaches showed the strength in the complementarity of both approaches in developing biomonitoring tools for assessing levels of deterioration in riverine systems. The study contributes significantly to understanding the ecology of riverine systems in the Niger Delta, particularly those subject to urban stresses, agricultural activities and urban pollution in forested systems, and thus makes an important contribution to the science and practice of biomonitoring in Nigeria where such studies are sparse.]]> Wed 12 May 2021 17:31:44 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:34666 Wed 12 May 2021 17:23:45 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:37890 Wed 12 May 2021 17:19:11 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:38177 Wed 12 May 2021 16:20:35 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:38447 Wed 12 May 2021 16:10:18 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:38517 Wed 12 May 2021 16:07:51 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:41336 Wed 12 May 2021 15:11:47 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:41465 Wed 12 May 2021 15:08:05 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:41433 Wed 12 May 2021 15:07:12 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:41264 Wed 12 May 2021 15:06:53 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:41376 Wed 12 May 2021 15:04:43 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:41337 Wed 12 May 2021 15:02:23 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:41263 Wed 12 May 2021 15:01:47 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:41920 Wed 12 May 2021 15:01:32 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:42174 Wed 12 May 2021 15:00:21 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:40963 Wed 12 May 2021 14:58:07 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:41441 Wed 12 May 2021 14:56:40 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:41296 Wed 12 May 2021 14:52:01 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:41469 Wed 12 May 2021 14:51:15 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:42477 Wed 12 May 2021 14:48:51 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:41276 Wed 12 May 2021 14:47:27 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:41499 Wed 12 May 2021 14:45:58 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:41437 Wed 12 May 2021 14:45:54 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:42454 Wed 12 May 2021 14:45:08 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:40962 Wed 12 May 2021 14:43:59 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:41446 Wed 12 May 2021 14:43:25 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:40995 Wed 12 May 2021 14:34:04 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:42198 Wed 12 May 2021 14:30:44 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:42052 Wed 12 May 2021 14:30:41 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:41164 Wed 12 May 2021 14:30:41 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:42171 Wed 12 May 2021 14:22:34 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:41506 Wed 12 May 2021 14:11:40 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:41495 Wed 12 May 2021 14:08:47 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:41438 Wed 12 May 2021 14:03:59 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:42172 Wed 12 May 2021 13:59:27 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:41938 Wed 12 May 2021 13:58:42 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:41488 Wed 12 May 2021 13:53:10 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:42474 Wed 12 May 2021 13:51:58 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:41470 Wed 12 May 2021 13:50:01 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:42175 Wed 12 May 2021 13:49:43 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:42201 Tue 15 Aug 2023 11:29:30 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:30599 Thu 29 Sep 2022 14:23:25 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:42759 10 m depth) and inshore sites (intertidal surf zones). Many sites in the bay, especially the atypical site at Cape Recife, exhibit higher than the average pH levels (>8.04), suggesting that pH variability may be biologically driven. This is further evidenced by high diurnal variability in pH (~0.55 pH units). Although the specific drivers of the high pH variability in Algoa Bay could not be identified, baseline carbonate chemistry conditions were identified, which is necessary information to design and interpret biological experiments. Long-term, continuous monitoring is required to improve understanding of the drivers of pH variability in understudied coastal regions, like Algoa Bay. A local fisheries species, D. capensis, was selected as a model species to assess the impacts of future OA scenarios in Algoa Bay. It was hypothesized that this temperate, coastally distributed species would be adapted to naturally variable pH conditions and thus show some tolerance to low pH, considering that they are exposed to minimum pH levels of 7.77 and fluctuations of up to 0.55 pH units. Laboratory perturbation experiments were used to expose early postflexion stage of D. capensis to a range of pH treatments that were selected based on the measured local variability (~8.0–7.7 pH), as well as future projected OA scenarios (7.6–7.2 pH). Physiological responses were estimated using intermittent flow respirometry by quantifying routine and active metabolic rates as well as relative aerobic scope at each pH treatment. The behavioural responses of the larvae were also assessed at each pH treatment, as activity levels, by measuring swimming distance and speed in video-recording experiments, as well as feeding rates. D. capensis had sufficient physiological capacity to maintain metabolic performance at pH levels as low as 7.27, as evidenced by no changes in any of the measured metabolic rates (routine metabolic rate, active metabolic rate, and relative aerobic scope) after exposure to the range of pH treatments (8.02–7.27). Feeding rates of D. capensis were similarly unaffected by pH treatment. However, it appears that subtle increases in activity level (measured by swimming distance and swimming speed experiments) occur with a decrease in pH. These changes in activity level were a consequence of a change in behaviour rather than metabolic constraints. This study concludes, however, that based on the parameters measured, there is no evidence for survival or fitness related consequences of near future OA on D. capensis. OA research is still in its infancy in South Africa, and the potential impacts of OA to local marine resources has not yet been considered in local policy and resource management strategies. Integrating field monitoring and laboratory perturbation experiments is emerging as best practice in OA research. This is the first known study on the temperate south coast of South Africa to quantify local pH variability and to use this information to evaluate the biological response of a local species using relevant local OA scenarios as treatment levels for current and near future conditions. Research on local conditions in situ and the potential impacts of future OA scenarios on socio-economically valuable species, following the model developed in this study, is necessary to provide national policy makers with relevant scientific data to inform climate change management policies for local resources.]]> Thu 29 Sep 2022 12:42:34 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:38509 Thu 13 May 2021 15:55:13 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:37667 Thu 13 May 2021 10:59:19 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:33249 Thu 13 May 2021 07:39:35 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:38234 Thu 13 May 2021 07:19:35 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:34282 Thu 13 May 2021 07:18:46 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:34163 Thu 13 May 2021 06:59:15 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:34201 0.05 in all cases). Microplastic counts ranged on average from 55 ± 289 to 930 ± 462 microplastic particles.m-3. With the exception of two instances, microfibres constituted > 50 % (range: 47 to 97 %) of the total microplastic counts. Part two of this study assessed the size range of, and seasonal and spatial patterns in ingested microplastic. No significant differences were found in the number of microplastics ingested within seasons between the mussels Perna perna (Linnaeus, 1758) and Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lamarck, 1819), and the barnacles, Octomeris angulosa (Sowerby, 1825) and Tetraclita serrata (Darwin 1954) (Student’s t-test; d.f = 18; p > 0.05 in all cases), or between the two sites sampled, Kenton-on-Sea, Eastern Cape, and Wilderness, Western Cape (ANOVA; d.f. = 18; p > 0.05 in all cases). The nitric acid digestion technique was used to determine the presence of ingested microplastics. Microplastic loads ranged from 2 ± 1 to 33 ± 19 microplastics.g-1 wwt across all consumers, and the size of ingested microplastics ranged from 1 to 16 μm. Though highly variable, the absence of statistically significant differences in ingestion rates points to a ubiquity in the availability of microplastics within the water column over time and space.]]> Thu 13 May 2021 06:52:15 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:34081 Thu 13 May 2021 06:38:10 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:35576 Thu 13 May 2021 06:16:55 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:38211 Thu 13 May 2021 06:15:33 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:34035 Thu 13 May 2021 05:52:57 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:38548 Thu 13 May 2021 05:39:40 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:28641 Thu 13 May 2021 04:24:57 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:29790 Thu 13 May 2021 03:46:18 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:37906 Thu 13 May 2021 03:38:54 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:30946 Thu 13 May 2021 03:38:01 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:38472 Thu 13 May 2021 03:05:20 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:38554 Thu 13 May 2021 03:02:27 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:35424 Thu 13 May 2021 02:53:44 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:29860 Thu 13 May 2021 02:37:59 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:34291 Thu 13 May 2021 02:24:07 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:38546 Thu 13 May 2021 02:21:31 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:32315 Thu 13 May 2021 02:16:00 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:30033 Thu 13 May 2021 01:51:14 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:38981 Thu 13 May 2021 01:14:26 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:38100 Thu 13 May 2021 01:12:05 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:38545 Thu 13 May 2021 00:54:10 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:38215 Thu 13 May 2021 00:25:35 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:38741 Sat 04 Dec 2021 12:41:27 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:41490 Mon 17 Apr 2023 11:28:01 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:38991 Fri 14 Jul 2023 09:03:33 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:41327 Fri 08 Jul 2022 11:49:07 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:42109 80%. The formulation composition identified was subsequently used for the optimization of the manufacturing parameters viz. sonication time and amplitude, using a Central Composite Design (CCD) . The LC and EE, in vitro CLA release, cytotoxicity, osmolarity, pH, degree of crystallinity and lipid modification, elemental analysis and surface morphology of the optimized batch was investigated and mon itored to ensure that CLA - loaded NLC, of the desirable quality, had been produced. On the day of manufacture the mean PS and PDI of the optimized CLA - loaded NLC formulation adjusted to physiological osmolarity (250 – 450 mOsm/kg) was 461.9 ± 40.16 nm and 0. 523 ± 0.104, respectively. The ZP for the optimized NLC generated on the day of manufacture using HPLC grade water as the dispersion medium was - 20.5 ± 4.82 mV. The pH and osmolarity of the optimized CLA - loaded NLC formulation was 7.76 ± 0.01 and 316 ± iii 2 m Osm/Kg, respectively and the EE was 88.62 ± 0.23 %. The optimized NLC exhibited a decreased crystallinity in comparison to the bulk lipid materials. DSC, WAXS and FT - IR revealed that CLA was molecularly dispersed in the nanocarriers. The optimized CLA - load ed NLC exhibited muco - adhesive properties, when tested under stationary conditions using laser doppler anemometry (LDA). The optimized formulation also exhibited sustained release of CLA over 24 hours during in vitro release testing and CLA release was bes t described using the Baker - Lonsdale model . The cumulative % CLA released over 24 hours was 56.13 ± 0.23% and mass balance analysis revealed 41.38 ± 0.02% CLA had been retained in the NLC. In vitro cytotoxicity testing revealed that the optimized CLA - NLC w ere less cytotoxic to HeLa cells when compared to CLA alone and further confirmed that the lipids and excipients used in these studies were of GRAS status . Stability studies revealed that the EE reduced over 28 days by 14.42% and 5.14% when stored at 4 °C and 22 °C , respectively. In addition, the particle size increased from the nm to μm range for samples stored at 22 °C. The findings are a good starting point but require further optimization to ensure prolongation of stability. In addition , the technology requires additional developmental studies and a powder for reconstitution for use as a single - dose considered as single dose packaging may be a solution to the compromised formulation stability observed in these studies. The CLA - NLC produced in these stu dies exhibit sound product attributes which serve as a useful foundation for the novel delivery of antibiotics to the eye. The results suggest that the optimized NLC have the potential to enhance precorneal retention and increase ocular availability of CLA , which in turn may be useful to reduce the required dose and dosing frequency when administering CLA as a reconstituted solution to treat susceptible organisms that infect ocular tissues.]]> Fri 06 Aug 2021 09:14:42 SAST ]]>