Modelling the performance of a calorifier installed at a university residence intended to be retrofited by an air source heat pump
- Authors: Mzolo, Noluthando Precious Duduzile
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Caloric engines Heat pumps
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4660 , vital:28485
- Description: Sanitary hot water production contributes significantly to the electrical energy consumption in the university campus. An in-depth understanding of the current hot water technology, number of students, capacity of water used per student, time of use of hot water, total volume of hot water consumed and the total energy used on an average weekday in a university residence are very crucial in opting for energy efficient technology like an air source heat pump (ASHP) water heater. The study focused on quantitative and qualitative analysis of data collected for the hot water profiles in one of the university residences (Elitheini 1) from the conduction of experiment and questionnaires. The results revealed that 94% of the 75 students used hot water during the Eskom morning peak and 61% during the Eskom evening peak. In addition, the average daily energy consumption of the 12 kW Calorifier was 139.49 kWh, while the measured volume of hot water usage was 1950 L which is in strong agreement with the total volume (1945 L) of hot water consumption from the questionnaires. The p-value of the average volume of hot water usage measured by experiment and questionnaires was 0.7 and is of no mean significant difference. The monthly energy consumption for the week days was projected to be 2929.31 kWh. By retrofitting of calorifier with an ASHP unit, the energy consumption could reduce to 976.43 kWh based on its consecutive coefficient of performance of 3. Finally, from the energy consumption reduction analysis and the current Eskom tariffs, it can be alluded that the payback period of the proposedASHP unit as a retrofit to the calorifier is going to be less than 2 years and is worthy to invest into such technology under this study due to its favourable payback period and the reliability and lifespan of the ASHP unit.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Comparative analysis of characteristics of the various sugarcane bagasse types in terms of gasification
- Authors: Kula, Mpumezo
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Bagasse Sugarcane -- Breeding Coal gasification
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13392 , vital:39656
- Description: The insight that the fossil fuel reserves are limited, together with concerns over security of supply (i.e. the oil crises), initiated the first raise of interest in biomass and all other renewable energy forms. However, the concern grew that global warming and the resulting climate change were enhanced by carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions resulting from fossil fuel consumption. Meanwhile, biomass energy is thought to account for 14–15percent of total world energy consumption. Hence, the exploitation and utilization of biomass energy are effective and necessary for relieving the pressures caused by environmental pollution and fossil fuel shortage (Lv et al., 2010). Recently, extensive research aimed at converting biomass to useful energy have been carried out, especially pyrolysis and gasification, which are particularly suitable for the effective and efficient utilization of biomass. Sugarcane bagasse is the main byproduct of sugarcane mill, ready available at the production site so that it may be a suitable raw material for the production of biofuels, chemicals, and electricity. Among the methods that have been previously studied, is this particular study we explore thermochemical process, gasification. The properties of sugarcane bagasse relevant to gasification are briefly reviewed. The compositions of the bagasse as a fuel are variable, especially with respect to inorganic constituents important to the critical problems of sintering, fouling and slagging. Alkali and alkaline earth metals, in combination with other fuel elements such as silica and sulfur, are responsible for many undesirable reactions in a gasifier system. The three sugarcane bagasse types namely washed, unwashed and the depithed sugarcane bagasse were subjected in different types of characterization to review and compare their characteristics for gasification. Ultimate analysis was used to determine the elemental compositions and this was helpful in estimating the energy input of the materials. Elemental compositions were determined with the CHNS analyzer which gave the percent compositions of each fuel in terms of Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Sulphur as well as Oxygen (by difference) and the SEM/EDX which gave the elemental composition of the materials as can be viewed from the EDX. The proximate analysis which is the physical characterization of the materials was carried out to preview the behavior of the sugarcane bagasse when subjected into high temperatures as the gasification process uses very high temperatures. These were determined by the TGA and the volatile matter content; fixed carbon content, moisture content and ash content were extrapolated from the resulting thermogram. SEM images for surface structures of the bagasse and FTIR for the structural functionality and bonding structures. The characterization of the bagasse was conducted to compare their gasification properties.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Identification of differentially expressed proteins involved in wheat (Triticum aestivum) resistance against Russian Wheat Aphid (Diuraphis noxia) SA2 using SWATH-MS analysis
- Authors: Ntlokwana, Sitha Emmanuel
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18872 , vital:42888
- Description: Wheat (Triticum aestivum) is the second most-consumed cereal crop in the world, second only to maize. In South Africa it is mainly produced in three provinces; the Free State, Western Cape, and the Northen Cape. The average total land area used for wheat cultivation in these three Provinces, is 533 000 hectares, with a resultant annual production of between 1.3 to 2 million tons. The total wheat requirement in South Africa is currently 2.7 million tons according to the production of wheat guidelines published by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, which is higher than the total annual production. One of the primary reasons that contribute to the lower production levels is insect and pest infestation, in particular, the Russian wheat aphid (Diurophis noxis), which can result in crop loss of up to sixty percent. Russian wheat aphids (RWA) are invasive insects that feed on the phloem of the plant through their specialised thin stylet-like mouthparts and release toxic agents contained in their saliva during feeding, which disrupt cellular functions inside the host plant. This damage leads to symptoms like; chlorosis, necrosis, wilting, stunting and curling of leaves, also known as leaf rolling. This study aimed to identify differentially expressed proteins in resistant and susceptible wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivars during Russian wheat aphid Biotype South African 2 (RWA-SA2) infestation, in order to identify proteins involved in the wheat resistant mechanism against RWA-SA2. Two wheat cultivars SST398 (resistant to RWA-SA2) and SST356 (susceptible to RWA-SA2) were used, and a total number of 126 plants were planted and divided according to four different harvest times (Control day 0; day 5; day 7 and day 12). The wheat plants were infested with approximately 10 aphids per plant at the three-leaf stage, and placed within an insect cage inside a growth chamber (Conviron, Winnipeg, Canada) set at 24ºC, light intensity of 352 µmol.m-2.sec-1, ambient CO2 levels (410 ppm) and humidity of 60% with a 16h/8h day/night cycle. Wheat leaves were harvested at various time frames, and total protein extraction was performed. The protein samples were reduced with 10 mM dithiothreitol (DTT) and alkylated with 30 mM iodoacetamide (IAA). Sample clean-up and on-bead trypsin digest were performed on megReSyn Hilic columns, over four hours. The resultant peptides were vacuum dried and resuspended in 2% acetonitrile (ACN) before submitting them to LC-MS/MS (SWATH) for analysis. A total number of 611 proteins were differentially expressed, of which 19 were identified to be involved in the resistance response of wheat, and an additional 20 involved in biotic stress responses. This study showed that reactive oxidative species (ROS) such as hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals (OH-) play a significant role in the early stages of wheat resistance against RWA-SA2 infestation. They are involved in cell wall strengthening, activation of defence genes, involvement of phytohormone signals such as salicylic and jasmonic acid, which also mediates the systemic defences such as, systemic acquired resistance (SAR), leading to the expression of pathogen-related proteins such as (thaumatin-like proteins, oxalate oxidase, defensin, chitinase, and thionins). Although up-regulation of photosynthesis proteins such as (chlorophyll a/b binding protein, photosystem I and II, rubisco and divinyl chlorophyllide a, and 8 vinyl-reductase) were seen on both infested cultivars (susceptible and resistance), higher numbers of these classes of proteins were identified in the resistance cultivar, suggesting that they also play a critical role in resistance. In conclusion, the SWATH analysis used in this study was able to identify numerous proteins involved in the wheat resistance mechanism against RWA-SA2, most of which have not yet been reported to be involved in either biotic stress or RWA-SA2 resistance responses. Future studies are required to biochemically confirm the involvement of these enzymes and proteins the specific metabolic pathways where they are found, in the wheat resistance mechanism against Russian wheat aphid Biotype 2
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- Date Issued: 2020
Effects of production systems and canola meal supplementation on carcass and meat quality characteristics of spent laying hens
- Authors: Semwogerere, Farouk
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Broilers (Chickens) -- Feeding and feeds Chickens -- Feeding and feeds Chicken industry -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9242 , vital:34309
- Description: This study evaluated the carcass and meat quality traits of spent laying hens as influenced by production systems (conventional cages and free range) and the inclusion/exclusion of canola meal in their diets. A total of 30 free range and 60 battery cage reared Lohmann Brown-Elite spent laying hens were obtained from a commercial egg producer. The 30 free range hens (53 weeks of age) and 30 of the caged hens (40 weeks of age) were fed a conventional diet, while the remaining 30 caged hens (48 weeks of age) were fed a diet supplemented with canola meal (20 percent). Carcass, portion and organ weights were determined. Physical attributes and proximate composition were analyzed for, with additional fatty acids and sensory profiles being determined for the effects of canola meal inclusion in the diet. Caged hens had heavier (P ≤ 0.05) warm and cold carcasses, thigh, wing and feet compared to free range hens. The percentages of the breast (26.1 ± 0.51 vs. 28.3 ± 0.28), drum, breast bones, breast thaw and cooking losses and thigh cooking loss were lower (P ≤ 0.05) for caged hens than for free range hens. Free range hens had heavier (P ≤ 0.05) gizzards (33.9 ± 1.04 vs. 30.5 ± 0.73) and bones and a lower (P ≤ 0.05) breast meat percentage (47.3 ± 0.94 vs. 51.7 ± 1.35). Meat redness (a*) (0.54 ± 0.222 vs. 1.40 ± 0.135) and hue angle value, skin redness (a*), breast and thigh, Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) values (breast: 12.37 ± 0.411 vs. 17.10 ± 0.751, thigh: 29.68 ± 0.306 vs. 39.75 ± 0.826), breast moisture and thigh ash content were lower (P ≤ 0.05) for caged hens than free range hens. Caged hens had higher (P ≤ 0.05) thigh thaw loss and breast ash content than free range hens. Canola-fed hens had higher (P ≤ 0.05) drum percentages, breast bone weights and percentages, with lower (P ≤ 0.05) thigh and breast meat percentages. Canola-fed hens had lower (P ≤ 0.05) thaw losses, skin yellowness (b*) and Chroma values, breast fat content with higher cooking losses, skin redness (a*) and hue angle value, as well as breast WBSF (12.37 ± 0.411 vs. 15.43 ± 0.600). Palmitic acid, stearic acid, heneicosanoic acid acid, palmitoleic acid, saturated fatty acids (SFA) (34.0 ± 0.56 vs. 38.7 ± 0.71), n-6:n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) ratio (5.5 ± 0.13 vs. 7.2 ± 0.28), atherogenic index (IA), thrombogenic index (IT), delta-5 desaturase (D5D, elongase index and thiosterase index were lower (P ≤ 0.05) for canola-fed hen breast meat. Breast meat from conventionally fed hens had lower (P ≤ 0.05) myristic acid, lignoceric acid, nervonic acid, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), PUFA:SFA ratio (0.7 ± 0.05 vs. 0.9 ± 0.02), n-3 PUFA (3.4 ± 0.31 vs. 5.1 ± 0.17), hypocholesterolemic:Hypercholesterolaemic (h/H), stearoyl-CoA desaturase 16 (SCD16) and stearoyl-CoA desaturase 18 (SCD18). The breast meat from conventionally fed hens had lower (P ≤ 0.05) metallic flavor than that from canola-fed hens. Strong positive correlations were observed for overall aroma with chicken (r = 0.965, P < 0.001) and brothy aroma (r = 0.827, P < 0.001); overall aroma with overall flavor (r = 0.680, P < 0.001), chicken flavor (r = 0.668, P < 0.001) and brothy flavor (r = 0.548, P = 0.006); initial juiciness with sustained juiciness (r = 0.771, P < 0.001) and tenderness (r = 0.537, P = 0.007); sustained juiciness with tenderness (r = 0.790, P < 0.001) and chewiness with residue (r = 0.783, P < 0.001). Whilst strong negative correlations were observed for: sustained juiciness with chewiness (r = -0.655, P = 0.001) and residue (r = 0.783, P < 0.001) and for tenderness with chewiness (r = 0.845, P < 0.001) and residue (r = -0.855, P < 0.001). Results of this study highlight that a free range production system when compared to a conventional cage system increased undesirable carcass and physical meat traits of spent laying hens. On the other hand, canola meal inclusion incorporates beneficial health aspects without affecting the sensory profile of meat derived from spent laying hens, both groups of hens being reared in battery cage system. Spent laying hen breasts can be consumed as a functional food (especially canolafed) since the fat content and composition was observed to be close to that which is recommended for a healthy diet.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Perceptions of rural households about the role and effect of biogas production on rural household income in Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality
- Authors: Ngcobo, Lindiwe
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Biomass energy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Renewable energy sources -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Sustainable living -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4694 , vital:28494
- Description: Rural development efforts to reduce poverty and enhance food security and generally improve livelihoods in developing countries continue to be constrained by high energy cost. For that reason, renewable energy has been identified as a possible panacea to fill this gap. Renewable energy is cheaper, more accessible and environmentally sustainable and promotes inclusivity. Biogas is a renewable energy that is readily available and easy to use by poor rural households. The use of biogas digesters among households in rural areas of developing countries is a well-known technology. The potential for biogas in these areas has been demonstrated and a strong economic case has been made. However, its adoption and use have been lower than expectations possibly as result of non-economic considerations, including social issues about which rural people hold different perceptions. Perceptions of rural households are important because they influence the behaviour to a large extent. Since limited access to affordable energy in rural areas has encouraged government and private organisations to initiate biogas projects to overcome the challenge, it is important to ascertain the factors that affect attitudes towards the technology. The present study sought to explore perceptions of rural households about biogas production towards rural household income in the Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality. Specifically, this research investigated the state of biogas project being implemented by the University of Fort Hare’s Institute of Technology (FHIT), the perceptions of respondents towards biogas production and determine the contribution of biogas consumption to rural income. The study also aimed to identify the factors affecting the adoption of biogas production in the study area. The study was carried out in Melani village in Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa and employed survey data obtained from 48 households who were enumerated to identify their perceptions on biogas production, with special emphasis on the role and effect contributed to rural income of Melani village. The study employed a cross-sectional research design and purposive sampling technique was used in data collection. Data were collected and captured in Excel and then analysed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) Version 24 Descriptive statistics was used to examine socio-economic characteristics of households and state of biogas production in the area, Bivariate correlation analysis was used to determine the relationships among the key elements of perceptions of household towards biogas adoption, binary logistic model was used to estimate factors influencing adoption of biogas technology by households. The results show that women were dominant for both adopters and non-adopters of biogas. The majority of households were young with mean age of 40 years while for non-adopters were 65 years old on average. The results showed high levels of literacy amongst household adopters. Majority of the households for both adopters and non-adopters of biogas technology were married and unemployed and household size ranged from one to five persons, with social grants being dominant source of income. The bivariate correlation analysis suggests a positive effect of green pepper production and livestock ownership on biogas technology adoption. Age and level of education were negatively correlated with adoption of biogas. The cross tabulation analysis suggests that water scarcity, lack of knowledge about biogas technology, cattle ownership, lack of maintenance and repairing, flooded biogas digesters during rainy season are negatively associated with the uptake of biogas technology. The empirical results from binary logistic model suggest that land size was the key determinant of adoption behaviour towards biogas technology while age of the household head, source of income and level of education may have a negative influence on adoption of biogas technology. Based on the findings highlighted above, the study recommends strategies to encourage households to adopt biogas technology.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Yield responses, mineral levels of forages and soil in old arable land planted to four legume pasture species in Lushington communal area, South Africa
- Authors: Gulwa, Unathi
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Forage plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Minerals in animal nutrition Communal rangelands -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2799 , vital:28091
- Description: This study was conducted in the old arable land located in Lushington communal area in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The objectives of the study were to assess the effect of legume introduction on biomass yield, forage and soil mineral levels of the arable lands planted to four leguminous pastures in four seasons. Planting was done in March and October 2008 in Lushington. All legumes were subjected to grow under rain fed conditions. Trifolium vesiculosum (arrowleaf clover), Lespedeza cuneata (sericea lespedeza), Trifolium repens (white clover) and Lotus corniculatus (birdsfoot trefoil) are the four forage legume species that were sampled for the purposes of this study. The four legume species persisted out of the fourteen species that were initially tested for adaptability and persistence in the environmental conditions of Lushington communal area. The legumes, grasses and soils from these legume plots were sampled to determine the effect of legume introduction on the forage yield, mineral contents of the companion grasses and soils over four seasons. Plant and soil samples were collected once in spring (November) 2013, summer (February), autumn (March) and winter (May) 2014 for biomass production, macro and micronutrients determination. Results indicated that legume inclusion and season affected (P < 0.05) the total dry matter (TDM) yield production. Plots with Lespedeza cuneata had the highest TDM (1843 kg/ha) and control plots had the least dry matter production (1091 kg/ha). Summer season provided the highest (P < 0.05) TDM compared to the other seasons. Both legume and grass quality was also affected (P < 0.05) by legume inclusion in different seasons. Accordingly, grasses harvested from Trifolium repens plot showed higher CP level (10.90 percent) than those harvested from other plots whereas the lowest grass CP content (6.90 percent) was measured in the control treatment. L. cuneate had the highest (P < 0.05) CP level (11.00 percent) and T. repens had the least CP (6.63 percent) level. Grasses harvested in autumn had the highest (P < 0.05) CP level (12.50 percent) and those harvested in winter had the least CP level (4.60 percent). Similarly, all legume pastures harvested in spring had superior (P < 0.05) CP (10.80 percent) levels and those harvested in winter had the least CP (3.50 percent) level. Legume inclusion had an effect (P < 0.05) on both grass and legume macro nutrient contents. Trifolium repens plot had the highest grass K (1.07 percent), Ca (1.50 percent) and Mg (1.83 percent), whereas there were lower K (0.12 percent), Ca (1.25 percent) and Mg (1.08 percent) contents in grasses harvested from the control and T. vesiculosum plots, respectively. In legumes, macro nutrient concentrations: K (0.68 percent), Ca (1.75 percent) were superior in the T. vesiculosum plot in comparison to other plots. Season also affected (P < 0.05) both grass and legume macro nutrient content. There was higher K (0.90 percent), Ca (1.30 percent) and Mg (0.94 percent) content in grasses harvested in autumn whereas there were lower levels in winter harvests. In legumes, superior K (0.74 percent) and Mg (1.87 percent) content were attained during spring while the least were measured in winter (0.07 percent) and autumn (0.75 percent), respectively. Likewise, both legume inclusion and season had an significant effect (P < 0.05) on the forages micronutrient levels. During spring, there was superior soil P content (36.28 mg/kg) while during autumn; there was less P (22.58 mg/kg) content. The highest SOC level (1.49 percent) was measured in the T. repens plot whereas the lowest SOC (1.15 percent) was attained in the control plot. The results of this study showed that grass legume mixtures produced forages with high nutrient content and herbage yield. Legume planting in the old arable lands has a potential to improve soil quality parameters such as soil P and SOC content.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
A situational survey of Siyazondla homestead food production proogramme and food security, poverty alleviation in selected communities of Nkonkobe Local Municipality of the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Phezisa, Bulelani
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Food supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2392 , vital:27795
- Description: People living in rural areas are continually losing their value, dignity, ubuntu and rural nature of livelihood. Agriculture in these areas characterises the nature of rural livelihood. Traditionally, people living in rural areas were highly dependent on their production from gardens for food, income (barter exchange), and other social activities. Nowadays, that motive and interest is no longer operating at its full potential, so to revive that history and nature, household (homestead) production, certain programmes were introduced to greatly improved the standard of living of the poor, and it has proved to have an impact as it has generated income, and created food stability and employment through the project. Home gardens are there and can be used as the method and the strategy toward improvement and development of the people around the world, more especial to developing countries. Certain programmes that are initiated for acting against the challenges faced by rural people have failed to materialise and operate on their fully potential. The Siyazondla homestead food production programme is the one of the programmes practiced by the government of South Africa to act against such challenges, affecting especially poor people. This study was aimed at assessing the role of Siyazondla homestead food production programme in food security and poverty alleviation in selected communities of Nkonkobe local municipality of the Eastern Cape. It took the form of a case study in Msobomvu, Ngcothoyi and Binfield locations. The Nkonkobe local municipality is demarcated into five major areas: Middledrift, Alice, Seymour, Fort Beaufort and Balfour. The study sample was collected from beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries of the Siyazondla programme. The sample size was 90 respondents, from which in one area, a 15 beneficiaries and anticipated non- beneficiaries were targeted. The target sample from each village was collected from 15 beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries. Many farmers from the study area benefited from the programme, though a limited number was targeted. Therefore, a probability sampling was applied and employed, where there were more than required number of beneficiaries of the programme and anticipated beneficiaries of the programme. The study was effectively and efficiently carried out and achieved with the use of personal interviewing of the recipients by use of questionnaires. The study was analysed by a computerised programme of analyses called SPSS v.2.1 and excel. The objectives of the study based on food security, poverty alleviation and reduction, and also improving nutritious status. The finding of the research clearly indicates the outcome of the programme on livelihood basis of the beneficiaries. Some of the objectives of the programme were achieved, such as food security and nutritious levels, whilst other objectives had shortcomings. The finding of the study also shows that programme, though had original benefits but also there are the anticipated and probable benefits of the programme Siyazondla, such as income, skill of farming, improving social status, and there are some possibilities when the programme is properly implemented. Though the majority of people are concentrated in rural areas, the programme on its own had shortcoming to meet needs of the whole population, as food insecurity, unemployment and poverty are taking its course. The programme on its own had shortcoming such as lack of adequate resource and as results, very few people benefited from the programme. Another shortcoming of the programme is the effectiveness of agricultural extension personnel to certain aspect such as marketing of farmers produce and proper monitoring and evaluation of the programme. Therefore, in the long run programmes of this nature are promising, there will be some development and improvement toward growth and better standards of livelihood. It is through this study that had to assess the structure, procedure, strategies implemented of the programme and impact of the programme to both beneficiaries and anticipated beneficiaries of the programme.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Evaluating farmers' perceptions and the impact of bush encroachment on herbaceous vegetation and soil nutrients in Sheshegu communal rangelands of the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Tokozwayo, Sive
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Range management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Brush -- Control -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Communal rangelands -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2733 , vital:28066
- Description: Communal rangelands occupy 13 percent of the agricultural land in South Africa, and these rangelands serve as a source of feed to livestock. These areas are threatened by bush encroachment due to poor rangeland management. This study was conducted in Alice (Sheshegu communal area) and the objective was to assess farmers' perceptions and the impact of bush encroachment on herbaceous vegetation and soil nutrients. Structured questionnaires were used to assess indigenous knowledge of communal farmers on the impact of bush encroachment on rangelands. Fourty (40) respondents from households who owned livestock were randomly selected and interviewed at Sheshegu village. About 89 percent of communal farmers perceived that change of their grasslands to encroached savannas was caused by unreliable rainfall, prolonged drought, and poor rangeland management. Rangeland assessment was performed at four sites (Scattered, Moderate, Mixed and Dense bushland. 100mx50m were demarcated per site, and four 100m transects were laid parallel to each other, 30m apart. The step point method was used to determine both species composition and basal cover. Biomass production was determined by harvesting forage within randomly-paced a 0.25m2 quadrats. Aristada congesta and Eragrostis obtuse were the most dominating grass species in dense, mixed and moderate bushland. Scattered bushland was dominated by Themeda triandra. Biomass production increases with increase in bush density and basal cover improved from winter to summer season. Increaser grass species increase with the increase in bush density, this indicated that the rangeland was poorly managed and palatable species were being replaced by less palatable ones. Species composition of woody plants was determined within a 200m2 belt transect in all sites. Maytenus polycantha, Aloe ferox, Erehia rigida and lucas capensis were the most dominant woody species in Mixed bushland while Acacia karroo was most dominated in Scattered, Moderate and Dense bushland. Woody density showed no significant differences (P> 0.05) between Dense, Mixed and Moderate bushland. Woody plant density in all these sites exceed 2500 plants/ha, which showed that the rangeland was encroached with woody plants. Soil nutrient content was determined for each site. Five samples of soil were collected per site to test the effect of bush encroachment on soil nutrient composition. The concentration of nitrogen and soil pH increased with increase in bush density, while that of potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, sodium and sulphur showed no significant differences (P>0.05) across all homogenous vegetation units. The study revealed that Sheshegu communal farmers are aware of both negative and positive effects of encroachment on their community, and also argue that the government is not willing to support communal farmers in the process of reducing the spread of bush encroachment. It was concluded that the concentration of nitrogen and soil pH increased with increasing bush density and that bush encroachment had negative effects on herbaceous species. It was recommended that communal farmers should be formulating rangeland rules and regulations to manage rangeland resources. Rangeland rules and regulations should be based on the management of livestock management during grazing and harvesting of rangeland resources. The harvesting of woody and good timing of application of fire can also reduce the spread of bush encroachment. Veld resting and rotational grazing can also improve fuel load which is required for burning of woody plants. Furthermore, Department of agriculture should also provide workshops or training to communal farmers use different approaches or cheap ways of reducing bush encroachment and conserving rangeland resources.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Synthesis and characterization of MXS (M = Mo & V) and carbon supported MXS nanocomposites as Pt-free counter electrodes for electrode for DSSC application
- Authors: Bede, Asanda
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Voltammetry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18599 , vital:42612
- Description: It has been reported that the morphology, crystalline phase composition and electrochemical properties of counter electrode materials such MxS (Mo, V) and carbon supported MxS (Mo, V) composite nanomaterials was of considerable importance because it governs the efficiency of many photon assisted chemical and physical reactions in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The efficiency of DSSCs with composite counter electrode materials is reliant on the stability of the photochemistry reactions which can be optimized by appropriate doping levels of the composite materials. Moreover, the microstructure such as surface area, distribution of the MxS (Mo, V) and carbon supported MxS (Mo, V) composite nanomaterials, and the stability of the electrostatic bonds between the MxS (Mo, V) with the carbon support also play a significant role in the performance of the DSSCs. This work evaluates the effect of different mole ratios of the MxS (Mo, V) and carbon supported MxS (Mo, V) composite nanomaterials on the morphological, structural and electrochemical properties of the composite materials. MoS2 nanoflakes nanostructures have been synthesized by hydrothermal technique using sodium orthovanadate (Na2MoO4) as precursor. In this work Carbon supported MoS2 NFs have been prepared by physically/chemically mixing different mole ratios of MoS2 NFs with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and polyvinylidene in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone. The morphological, structural and electrochemical properties of the composite counter electrode materials have been investigated using SEM, XRD FTIR, TEM, RS and CV. SEM analysis has revealed the presence of large MoS2 nanoflakes (NFs) as synthesized. SEM analysis has also revealed significant change in the surface morphology of carbon supported MoS2 composite nanostructures with the change in the mole ratio of the MoS2 NFs and carbon support multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Structural analysis through HRTEM analysis revealed a d-spacing of 0.65 nm with a corresponding (002) lattice plane belonging to a trigonal crystalline phase of MoS2. Also, HRTEM analysis has revealed d-spacing of 0.291 nm corresponding to 002 plane of MWCNTs. Raman spectroscopy has revealed Characteristic Raman vibration frequencies and symmetries at 264.6 cm-1(Eg), 354.2 cm-1 (Ag ) belonging trigonal phase of MoS2 (1T-MoS2). FTIR analysis has revealed a narrow peak at 457.6 cm-1 due Mo-S vibration bond. This observation confirms the success of synthesis of MoS2 nanostructures. Cyclic voltammetry (CV), charge-discharge (CD) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements have revealed that the ratio 6:3:1 have shown to be optimum ratio due to its large reduction rate compared to pristine MoS2 NFs and other carbon supported MoS2 NFs. Calculated Rreduction for the carbon supported MoS2 NFs is the order 3:6:1>1:8:1>6:3:1>8:1:1 indicating the trend of ratio 3:6:1 appeared to have higher reduction rate than the rest of the material and it had far less ΔEpp than the rest of other ratios. All CV curves for both pristine MoS2 NFs and carbon supported MoS2 NFs confirmed a distinct Faradic characteristic. The VS2 nanosheets (NSs) and carbon supported VS2 NSs were also effectively synthesized via hydrothermal method. The SEM micrographs for VS2 NSs and carbon supported VS2 NSs samples reveals level increased. Furthermore, SEM-EDX analysis have confirmed the presence of V and S as well as C and O on carbon supported VS2 nanocomposites, and it clearly shown a gradually blending as the ratios increases. The structural studies through XRD analysis have revealed peaks at 2θ angles of 15.4◦, 28.2◦, 34.2◦, 36.2◦, 43.3◦,48.3◦, 54.4◦, 57.7◦ and 66.2◦ which correspond to the lattice planes (001), (002), (100), (011), (102), (003), (110), (103) and (201) belonging to hexagonal VS2 (H-VS2) crystalline phase as per JCPDS card 36-1139. The HRTEM have revealed that the VS2 NSs have an edge to edge length of ~ 0.294 – 1.248 µm. Also, HRTEM micrographs of VS2 NSs have revealed interplanar d spacing of 0.571 nm belonging to the (001) lattice plane of hexagonal VS2 (H-VS2) structure. FTIR analysis have shown a peak at 558 cm-1 attributed to V-S which is evident that sulfur has bonded with the metal (V) and is in agreement with EDS. CV, CD and EIS measurements have shown that the ratio 1:8:1 is more superior to VS2 NSs and other carbon supported VS2 NSs. Based on Rreduction for the carbon supported nanosheets VS2 nanosheets are ordered as 1:8:1>3:6:1>6:3:1>8:1:1. Carbon supported VS2 NSs of the mole ratio 1:8:1 showed a small resistance of 0.32 Ω. This is further evidence that the carbon supported VS2 NSs of the mole ratio 1:8:1 in addition to revealing excellent catalytic behaviour is also more chemically stable and has good conductivity properties._________
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Evaluation of groundwater potential using neotectonics and geophysics in the context of post Karoo tectonic framework around Fort Beaufort and Smithfield, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Ndlovu, Nkosilathi
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Neotectonics -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Groundwater -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Geophysical surveys -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12687 , vital:39299
- Description: Geological and geophysical methods were used to investigate the Karoo area extending from longitudes 25.50 E to 27.50 E and latitudes 300 S to 330 S in South Africa, particularly Fort Beaufort, Aliwal North, Venterstad and Smithfield. The geology of the area is dominated by the upper Beaufort Group (Adelaide Subgroup) with an extensive network of dolerite sills and dykes that intruded the sedimentary sequence. A relationship between neotectonics, post-Karoo tectonics, groundwater and lithology was investigated to locate suitable groundwater potential sites. Apart from studying the role of neotectonics and the post Karoo tectonics, this research aims at generating groundwater targets to alleviate water shortages mainly for farming and livestock, and prove that neotectonics is still active. Methodologies adopted for obtaining these results included a comprehensive literature review, thin section analysis, scanning electron microscopy, geophysical investigation (magnetic, gravity, and vertical electrical sounding), and the application of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing. Twenty samples were collected at various locations within the study area and were analyzed using the petrographic microscope while others were analyzed with the Scanning Electron Microscopic (SEM) combined with an Energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry. The results show that the rocks are fractured, porous and have variable mineralogy (presence of heavy minerals) within the rocks. The use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing in geological surveys, especially hydrogeology, has gained momentum over the past few years. This research is no exception as ArcMap software was used to create a map of seismic epicentres of the Eastern Cape Province. From the map it can be observed that seismicity still occurs and thus leading to the notion of neotectonics being active. Lineaments were also automatically extracted using the ENVI 5.1 and Geomatica 2013 software. Lineaments are zones of weakness in the subsurface of the Earth and are very important in locating groundwater potential sites. Geophysical techniques are essential and highly accurate for groundwater studies. Gravity and magnetic techniques were applied on data which was supplied as grids. Analysis using Geosoft Oasis 8.3 revealed extensive lineaments and ring like patterns and these were inferred to be dolerite intrusions (sills and dykes). The morphology of the intrusions help in identifying possible groundwater potential zones and thus they should be investigated. Vertical electrical sounding (VES) technique using the Schlumberger array was carried out at three sites (Fort Beaufort fracture which is possibly related to Quaternary surface uplift of the Amatole-Swaziland axis, splay of the Fort Beaufort fracture and at a site which showed high groundwater potential) to explore subsurface layering. IP2win (lite), 1-D modelling software was used to model the apparent resistivity data to obtain the geoelectric parameters of the subsurface (thickness and resistivity). The VES results are consistent with fractured rocks that aid groundwater movement. The VES data for the three sites was further modelled by the RES2DINV software and this shows low resistivity values associated with loose, water saturated top sandy soil and higher resistivity values associated with sedimentary sequences and dolerite. Moreover, potential sites for citing wells are predicted to be between 79.5 and 128 m on the profile. Further neotectonic studies need to be done, especially on the quaternary sediments as they would have more neotectonic evidence. The use of geophysical techniques for groundwater search need to be intensified, with more emphasis being put to the sedimentary sequences bordered by dolerite intrusions and fractured zones.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Isolation and characterization of E. coli and Campylobacter spp. from diarrhoeal samples collected from selected hospitals in Amathole District Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Omolajaiye, Sunday Abraham
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Escherichia coli infections Campylobacter infections Diarrhea
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6213 , vital:29515
- Description: Approximately 2-4 billion cases of infectious diarrhoea occur every year, with the highest numbers recorded in sub-Saharan Africa. It remains the most common public health issue among children in developing nations. The purpose of this research was to unfold the prevalence of diarrhoeagenic E. coli and Campylobacter pathotypes as well as elucidate their antibiogram characteristics in diarrhoeal stool samples collected in some medical facilities in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Two hundred stool samples were collected from both inpatients and outpatients from male and females of all age groups attending selected medical facilities in the study area. Isolation and characterization of both organisms were done using culture based and molecular methods. Antibiotic susceptibility patterns of identified isolates were determined against a panel of 12 antimicrobial agents. One hundred and twenty presumptive E. coli isolates and 42 presumptive isolates of Campylobacter spp. Were isolated. Eighty-two percent (82 percent) of the presumptive E. coli isolates were confirmed as E. coli while 46.3 percent belonged to Campylobacter spp. Pathotyping of the diarrhoeagenic E. coli isolates by Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) showed the following prevalences: DAEC 43 (32 percent), EHEC 18 (17 percent), EIEC 11 (10 percent) and EPEC 18 (17 percent). EAEC and ETEC were not detected, while for Campylobacter spp. 37 (88 percent) were C. jejuni, and C. coli was not detected. A total of 12 (32.4 percent) of the confirmed Campylobacter jejuni isolates were found to possess the fliM gene, 9 (24.3 percent) possessed the flhA gene and only 6 (16.2 percent) harboured the gene flgE2. None were positive for the flaA, flab and flhB genes.The antibiotic resistance patterns observed among the E. coli isolates were high against ampicillin (98.1 percent), chloramphenicol (94.3 percent) and tetracycline (90.6 percent). For Campylobacter spp., resistance observed were: chloramphenicol (91.6 percent), tetracycline (25.2 percent), erythromycin (49.6 percent) and gentamycin (56.4 percent). A lesser resistance against imipenem (35.9 percent) and quinolone (ciprofloxacin) (45.5 percent) were exhibited by the E.coli isolates. 10.8 percent and 20.3 percent of the Campylobacter isolates were resistant to imipenem and ciprofloxacin respectively. The presence of chloramphenicol (CatA1) and tetracycline (tetA) resistance genes were detected in 94 percent and 89 percent of E. coli isolates respectively while 98 percent of Campylobacter spp. Harboured the catA1 resistance gene. It could be deduced from this study that E. coli and Campylobacter spp. are predomiant enteric pathogens as the etiologic agents of diarrhoea in the study community, and that their antimicrobial resistance is high in the study location. The need to develop strategies to prevent infection and control resistant organisms is evident.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Monitoring changes in vegetation distribution to ascertain the extent of degradation in the savannas of Nkonkobe Local Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Masiza, Wonga
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Savanna ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Land degradation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Vegetation management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2027 , vital:27598
- Description: Savanna degradation is an environmental problem occurring in most countries around the world and it poses threats to biodiversity conservation, the food industry, and other economic sectors. According to FAO, South Africa’s rangelands exhibit the highest rate of fragmentation in comparison to range ecosystems in neighbouring countries including Lesotho and Swaziland, and consensus among researchers is that communal rangelands are more degraded than commercial rangelands. Although researchers and communities have identified the occurrence of land degradation in communal savannas at a local scale, land degradation has been poorly estimated because little has been done to quantify the extent and dynamics of perceived and observed changes associated with land degradation. The main goal of this study is to provide empirical insights on the direction of changes in the communal savannas of Nkonkobe Local Municipality in order to inform policy formulation and implementation. Additional to the communal sites is a private farm included for comparative analysis of trends in communal and commercial savannas. Landsat imagery was used to map, assess, and quantify the extent of land degradation in Nkonkobe Local Municipality, over a period of 30 years between 1984 and 2014. Field investigations were undertaken in June 2015 to acquire reference data to guide supervised classification of Landsat images. Three algorithms (Mahalanobis-distance, Minimum-distance, and Maximum likelihood classification) were compared to identify a classifier that produced the best results. The maximum likelihood classifier produced the best results with classification accuracy levels of 95.24 percent, 89.66 percent, and 95.65 percent for Honeydale Farm, Thyume, and Sheshegu respectively. Regression analysis revealed that both communal and private lands have experienced statistically significant increases in bush encroachment and decreases in surface water. Communal savannas have been confronted more by expansion of built-up area, decrease in open grassland, abandonment of arable land, soil erosion, and a steady invasion by Acacia Karroo compared to the privately owned commercial farm. The land cover changes measured through this investigation suggest an environmental shift that threatens biodiversity and agricultural activity. The study provides empirically informed insights about the direction to which these savannas are changing with the hope that the findings will prompt formulation and implementation of effective policies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Evaluation of some pseudomonas species isolated from Hogsback forest reserve for the production of antibacterial compounds
- Authors: Mkono, Yonela Pelokazi
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Bacteriology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Pseudomonas
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5961 , vital:29458
- Description: Pseudomonas species are Gram-negative bacteria most abundant in soil and water bodies, with the capacity to thrive in varied environments. They are largely associated with resistant pathogenic bacteria linked to human and plant diseases. Species such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa have been particularly targeted as case studies due to the extremity to which they pose a threat to human health. With more focus directed at using these species for biocontrol and bioremediation purposes, their role in bioactive compound production may be equally important. As the crisis on antimicrobial resistance still persists, the need for effective antimicrobial compounds is ever more urgent and solutions may possibly still be dormant in bacterial species whose potential has not been fully investigated. On a bid to source out potential antimicrobial compound producers, soil samples were collected from Hogback forest reserve in the province of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. For bacterial screening, M1 and R2A agar were used and the cultures grown at 37˚C for a period of seven days. After the presumed Pseudomonas species were identified, antimicrobial production was determined by submerged fermentation method using nutrient broth as media of choice. Active isolates were further studied to determine the optimum conditions which best facilitate for antimicrobial compound production, with parameters such as temperature (25˚C – 40˚C) and pH (4 – 9) considered. The role plasmids play in antimicrobial compound production was also investigated. Each isolate was grown in fermentation media containing Sodium dodecyl sulphate and Ethedium Bromide, at varying concentrations, to facilitate for plasmid curing. With each sample, distinct colonies were identified with varying pigmentations most dominant being a cream colour. The identity of the isolated strains was achieved through sequencing of 16S rDNA. Phylogenetic analysis showed that isolate A16 had 80 percent homology with Pseudomonas plecoglossicida strain P4 and share a close ancestor with isolates Y52 and Y81, also isolate Y89 showed a 90 percent homology with Pseudomonas sp. Co-11a. With the exception of isolate A16, the isolates which were active against Gram-negative bacteria lost activity as the screening processes continued. When looking at temperature variations, isolates Y81 and A16 were highly active with maximum activity observed at 35˚C while Y89 performed best at 25˚C and Y52 showed constant activity across all studied temperatures. The plasmids in all isolates were found to be 48.5 kb in size with the exception of isolate Y89 which was 20 kb. The plasmids were cured at concentrations of (1 mg/ml; 5 mg/ml; 7 mg/ml; 10 mg/ml; 11 mg/ml) SDS and (125 μg/ml; 6.5 μg/ml; 5μg/ml) EtBr. The curing process also showed changes in both the antimicrobial activity of the isolates as well as their physical characteristics. The isolates are the first reported Pseudomonas species from Hogsback forest reserve with the ability to produce antimicrobial compounds which are active against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. These mesophilic bacteria also show that plasmids do not pay any role in the production of antimicrobial compounds and that the biosynthesis genes are highly likely to be chromosomal borne meaning that the production cannot be linked to horizontal transfer of genes. Therefore, these isolated Pseudomonas species provide a potential reservoir of antimicrobial compounds which may play an important role in the antimicrobial resistance phenomenon.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
A comparative economic analysis of small scale tobacco production under contract and non-contract farming : the case of Marondera rural district, Mashonaland East province, Zimbabwe
- Authors: Ruzhani, Freddy
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Farms, Small -- Zimbabwe Tobacco industry -- Zimbabwe Farmers -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12653 , vital:39296
- Description: Constitutionalism and separation of powers is the most dynamic topic worldwide. Montesquieu, the French philosopher is credited with the doctrine of separation of powers. Various countries adopted the doctrine and modified it, in order to fit their systems of governments. The reason behind is that there is no universally recognized model of separation of powers or one size fit all. Countries apply this doctrine differently in a fashion that fits their domestic laws and constitutional requirements. Montesquieu gave a classic exposition and the rationale for separation of powers in one of his well-celebrated work “The Spirit of Laws”. The concept of separation of powers emerged premised on the theory that the arms of state namely, the judiciary, the legislature and the executive, should operate within their providence without one interfering with the other. From the South African perspective, the Constitution of South Africa of 1996 requires separation of powers even though it is not explicitly so stated in the text. This research examines the unique South African model of separation of powers and how the courts have navigated through it from the time the Constitution was promulgated. It seeks to establish whether or not a South African model of separation of powers has come to the fore. The research further examines the problem of interference amongst the arms of state and mechanism of checks and balances which can be applied to prevent or minimise such interference. In doing so, the study pursued a desktop survey of primary and secondary materials, including scientific literature, legislation, courts’ jurisprudence, and official documents. A comparative perspective was also made in order to learn from the experiences of other jurisdictions where the doctrine is applied. The findings reveal that South Africa has a unique model of separation of powers. The model was learned and enriched from various foreign jurisdictions. The courts have contributed enormously to this model, which contrive to be fluid and living.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
The prospects of commercialising small-scale chicken production in Buffalo City metropolitan municipality, Eastern Cape province, South Africa
- Authors: Seti, Thembalethu Macdonald
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Poultry -- Breeding -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Chicken industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15244 , vital:40257
- Description: The aim of this study is to explore the prospects of commercialising small-scale chicken production in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Eastern Cape. In the attempt of exploring these prospects, the researcher sought to understand socio-economic characteristics of small-scale chicken farmers, describe the small-scale chicken enterprise, and determine farmer’s level of commercialisation and factors influencing the farmer’s commercialisation level. Stratified random sampling was used to select 99 participants in the study area. The sampled participants constituted small-scale chicken farmers that were supported by government projects and farmers that were not part of any government support. Descriptive statistics, Household Commercialization Index (HCI) and Multinomial Regression model were used to analyse data and bring meaning to it. The results of the study signify that most of the farmers (66percent) are subsistence oriented, meaning most of their produce is consumed within the household and about 40percent are semi-commercial and only 7percent are at full commercialization meaning they only produce for the market. The result also showed that access to extension services (p<0.03), gender (p<0.03) household size (permanent family members) (p<0.01), transport cost (p<0.04), farming experience (p<0.02, grades and standards (p<0.01), production machines (p<0.05), and distance to the market (p<0.05) were the major determinants influencing output commercialization in the study area. The major constraints to production identified and prioritized by farmers were lack of feed, disease outbreaks, high mortality rate and theft. Based on the study results, to bring about the prospects of commercialising small-scale chicken, government should consistently supply extension officers, government investment in poultry machines and transport is also recommended. In terms of further research, the study suggests that research on profitability of small-scale chicken production would yield immense insights for policy development.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Genotypic and phenotypic characterization of enterococci from cow dung and environmental water sources in three selected dairy farms in Amathole District
- Authors: Tanih, Godfred Ngu
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Enterobacteriaceae Water -- Microbiology Enterococcus faecalis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2348 , vital:27755
- Description: Enterococcus species are integral members of the gastrointestinal microfloral of humans, animals, birds, as well as insects. Their presence in water and food has been greatly associated with faecal contamination. This study was aimed at evaluating the incidence of Enterococcus species in cow dung and environmental water sources in three commercial dairy farms. In addition, their antibiotic profiles were determined as well as resistance and virulence genes. Furthermore, the genetic relatedness of the isolates was determined by molecular typing method (RAPD PCR). Three hundred and thirty four water and faecal samples consisting of 117, 116 and 101 were collected from Seven Star Middle Drift and Fort Hare Dairy trusts respectively. Of the 334 samples collected, 289 were of faecal origin and 45 from water sources within the farms. All samples were screened for enterococci using culture base growth media and molecular methods targeting the tuf gene. Speciation was done using species-specific primers and the incidences of various species within the farms determined. Furthermore resistance to antibiotics and multidrug-resistant phenotypes were established using the disk diffusion method. Genes coding for virulence and resistance were also determined. From the samples collected, 313 (289 faecal and 24 water) presumptive enteroccocci were isolated, 305 of 313 (97.45 percent) were confirmed as Enterococcus of which 239 of 305 (78.38 percent) were identified as E. hirae, 15 of 305 (4.92 percent) as E. faecium, 12/305 (3.93 percent) as E. durans, 6 of 305 (1.97 percent) as E. faecalis and 33 of 305 (10.82 percent) were unidentified. Out of the five virulence genes that were targeted in the study only gelE (71.80 percent of 219/305) and ace (27.2 percent 83/305) were present in the isolates. Phenotypic resistance to antibiotics was observed is in all twelve antibiotics tested with multidrug resistance phenotypes detected in some enterococcal isolates most predominant in Seven Star and Middledrift dairy trust. Finally RAPD profiles of the isolates showed high relatedness between the strains from water and cow dung sources in all three commercial dairy farms suggesting possible contamination from cow dung to the water sources or vice versa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Consumers' attitudes towards ready-to-eat fast-food products and their relationship with obesity in Mdantsane township in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Matyolo, Pamela
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Obesity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Obesity
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9022 , vital:34183
- Description: The South African fast-food industry has experienced substantial recent growth. However, as consumers have incorporated more fast food into their daily diets, obesity has become a major problem. The aggressive marketing techniques of fast food firms coupled with the busy urban lifestyle have significant implications for dietary health habits. The study aimed at investigating consumers’ attitudes towards fast food and the relationship between fast food consumption and obesity. The field survey design of the study employed a mixed-methods approach involving the use of a semi-structured questionnaire. The study was limited to the Mdantsane Township located in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. A quota sample of 200 respondents (n = 200) was selected from which data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive results revealed that the participants had positive attitudes towards fast foods. Although they agreed that eating fast foods increased body weight, the participants mostly did not feel overweight or obese. The participants were well aware of the negative health implications of excessive fast food consumption. This knowledge generally did not deter their positive fast food attitudes, although participants expressed their desire for additional healthier fast food options in the market. Regression estimates further revealed that carbohydrate and starchy type of fast foods (𝑃 < 0.01), other sources of fast foods (𝑃 < 0.05), age group, physical appearance and meaty type of fast foods (𝑃 < 0.10) had significant influence on the frequency of fast food consumption. The results further revealed that physical appearance (𝑃 < 0.01), religion (𝑃 < 0.05), age group and supermarkets and source of fast foods (𝑃 < 0.1) had significant influence on respondents’ BMI scores. The study concludes that there exist socio-economic and institutional factors that have considerable bearing on consumers’ fast food consumption and BMI scores. The study advocates for public health policy making concerning awareness of the negative health consequences of fast food consumption targeting mostly young adult females who mainly purchase in franchises and supermarkets with a high meaty diet.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Evaluation of the socio-economic performance of smallholder irrigation schemes in Idutywa Village of the Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Jiba, Phiwe
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Irrigation farming -- Economic aspects Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4705 , vital:28497
- Description: South Africa and other African countries are faced with high levels of food insecurity and poverty levels as a result of slow growth of the macro economy and weak or sluggish rural development. Irrigation scheme development is seen as an important strategy to address the challenges faced by households in rural areas and restores growth and enhanced livelihoods. While the international experience shows that Irrigation schemes are potentially transformative of poor communities and have been operational for many years now, there is no marked improvement in living conditions of rural households in terms of livelihoods and income. This raises the question as to whether or not the schemes are viable from a socio-economic perspective and whether or not there are reasons for concern and revision of the policy framework for smallholder irrigation schemes. As a result of that, the broad objective of the study was to evaluate the contribution of smallholder irrigation schemes to household income and food security of rural households in Idutywa village of the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. Specifically, this research investigated the major factors that influence their performance, impact of irrigation farming on rural livelihood and household food security as well as identifying the possible opportunities of production that would improve their performance. The study was carried out in Idutywa villages of the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa and employed survey data obtained from 107 households. The study employed a cross-sectional research design and the study employed stratified random sampling. The study made use of descriptive and inferential statistics to estimate the central tendency and dispersion as well as testing the hypothesis that there is a difference in the contribution between irrigators and non-irrigators using STATA and SPSS. Probit regression model was used to estimate factors that influenced the performance of smallholder irrigation schemes. The descriptive statistics employed included means, percentages and frequencies on the socio-economic characteristics of households in the study areas. The results show that females were dominant with a representation of 66.7 percent. The majority of households were aged and the mean age was 65 years. High level of illiteracy in the project area was revealed by the data. The average number of years, households spent in school was between 6 years to 10 years in school. Farming was found to be the major agricultural economic activity. Sixty-three (63 percent) were full time farmers. The results further show that household size ranges between 1 to 5 persons. The households were shown to be mostly dependent on social grant with household income hovering around R 1 000. The results from propensity score matching revealed that irrigation exerts a positive impact on household income. This provides sufficient evidence that irrigation schemes do make a contribution to rural livelihoods through their effect on household income and food security. This implies that government should continue investing in irrigation schemes as part of a strategy to grow the rural economy and improve rural livelihoods. This is in line with the Agricultural Policy Action Plan (APAP) and National Development Plan (NDP) of South Africa. Probit analysis suggests that age of the households, household size and market were some of the key determinants that positively influenced households’ decision to participate in smallholder irrigation schemes while access to credit had significant but negative effect on households’ decision to participate in smallholder irrigation schemes. Based on the findings highlighted above, it is recommended that addressing such barriers may create enabling conditions that would encourage households to access and participate more effectively in smallholder irrigation schemes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Household socio-economic characteristics and their effect on livelihood strategy preferences in Shawbury, Qumbu
- Authors: Nongalo, Mwezi Bongile
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Household surveys -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12065 , vital:39132
- Description: At the centre of rural development are household livelihood strategies. The livelihoods of South Africa’s rural African poor have long been characterized by diverse activities, and intertwined with urban opportunities. This study describes the livelihood strategies of rural households, identifies the determinants of these livelihood strategies and seeks to identify the role of preferences and household characteristics in changing livelihood strategies in Shawbury in the small town in Qumbu. It also identifies the relationships between household and individual characteristics and livelihood strategies. A random sampling technique was used to select 100 households in Shawbury. Descriptive analysis techniques were used to describe the characteristics of the households and livelihood strategies and to identify the relationships between household characteristics and livelihood strategy preferences, a multinomial logit regression model was used. The livelihood strategies used for the multinomial logit regression were commercial agricultural production/ production for selling; subsistence agricultural production/ production for consumption; non-farm employment; social grants and remittances. For much of the research available for livelihood strategies, tools such as the sustainable livelihoods framework have been the focus for studying the determinants of livelihood strategies; however, these tools have little to no consideration for the aspirations and preferences of the individuals in question. This study highlights some possible tools that could be used to examine the influence of aspirations and preferences on changing livelihood strategies including the consumer choice framework, the domestic development cycle, the social network framework for decision-making, the social systems approach and conjoint analysis. For this study, the actual preferences of livelihood strategies among the households are presented using conjoint analysis. This study finds that households in the same area have different characteristics and that livelihood strategies of Shawbury’s households are primarily non- farm, that include dependency on remittances, social grants and formal employment. It finds that households that generate income from wage employment (non-farm) and farm activities are better off than other households. Analysis of the characteristics of rural households also revealed that age, labour endowment, education, and land size holding are some of the barriers that poor households in rural areas face when attempting to enter into high-return livelihood strategies. The multinomial logit regression model has helped to identify some of the factors that influence the preference of certain livelihood strategies by households, are gender of the household head, age of the household head, size of the land owned, and educational level of the household head, household size, and livestock value. This analysis presents evidence about the relationship between household characteristics contributing to the adoption of certain livelihood strategies by people of Shawbury. The conjoint analysis has helped to identify that the most preferred to the least preferred livelihood activities are non-farm labour activities, crop production, animal production, contact with family/leisure and other natural resource based activities respectively.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Prevalence of Group B streptococcus and staphylococcus aureus colonization in the anogenital tract of pregnant women in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Stofile, P Z
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Streptococcal infections Staphylococcus aureus
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5983 , vital:29462
- Description: Neonatal sickness and death is increasingly becoming a public health problem worldwide. The colonization of Group B Streptococcus and Staphylococcus in the rectovaginal area is among the sources of infections in neonates which can result in illness and mortality. The over exposure of humans to antibiotics is the possible cause of resistance in bacteria. These resistant strains can be passed onto offspring, leading to resistant infections and increasing the morbidity of neonates because of treatment failures. Many people, including healthcare personnel are not aware of the effect of these bacteria, and informing clinics and hospitals can help create awareness and monitoring the levels of resistance among bacteria can assist in preventing the transference of the bacteria. In this study we investigated the prevalence of group B Streptococcus (GBS) and Staphylococcus aureus in the anogenital tract of pregnant women in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. A total of 49 isolates from 25 (30.5 percent) pregnant women colonized with GBS were isolated from vaginal and rectal swabs of 82 pregnant women at 25-37 gestation who participated in this study. These isolates were obtained using standard microbiological methods and confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique aimed at the ScpB gene. The isolates were further screened for the presence of 9 serogroups (Ia, Ib, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VII) and serogroups Ib 2 (4.8 percent), II 20 (40.8 percent) and IV 5 (10.2 percent) and 22 non-typable (44.9 percent) were identified. Susceptibility profiling of the isolates to 12 antibiotics (tetracycline, clindamycin, erythromycin, gentamycin, naladixic acid, norfloxacin, chloramphenicol, cefuroxime, cefotaxime, imipenem, penicillin and vancomycin) was tested in vitro by the standardized disc diffusion method. All the confirmed GBS isolates (49) were resistant to erythromycin, tetracycline and clindamycin. A higher percentage of the isolates were resistant to gentamycin 44 (90 percent), nalidixic acid 41 (84 percent), penicillin 41 (84 percent), chloramphenicol 38 (78 percent), cefuroxime 36 (74 percent), imipenem 36 (74 percent), cefotaxime 35 (71 percent), norfloxacin 32 (65 percent) and vancomycin 31 (78 percent). Multiple antimicrobial resistance patterns ranged from 9‒11 and indices ranged from 0.7‒0.9, respectively. Among the antimicrobial resistance determinants examined, genes encoding for resistance to erythromycin ermB 25 (51 percent), tetracycline tetM 32 (65 percent) and penicillin bla-Z 4 (8 percent) only were identified. On the other hand, screening for S. aureus yielded a total of 7 isolates from 4 study participants as confirmed by PCR based on staphylococcal, nuc gene. The isolates were further screened for the presence of six virulence genes (Hla, Hlb, LUKM, LUKED, PVL, Eta and Etb) and antibiotic susceptibility pattern by the disc diffusion method using 12 (penicillin, vancomycin, tetracycline, rifampicin, imipenem, gentamycin, chloramphenicol, norfloxacin, oxacillin, erythromycin and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim) antibiotics that are adopted in the treatment of infections caused by the organism. PVL 6 (85.7 percent) and eta 1 (14.3 percent) were the two virulence genes detected. The following percentages of antibiotics resistance among the isolates were observed; penicillin G 7 (100 percent), clindamycin 7 (100 percent), vancomycin 5 (100 percent), rifampicin 5 (71 percent), oxacillin 5 (71 percent), erythromycin 5 (71 percent) gentamycin 3 (43 percent), norfloxacin 3 (43 percent), sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim 3 (43 percent), chloramphenicol 2 (29 percent), imipenem 1 (14 percent). Multiple antimicrobial resistance patterns ranged from 7‒8 and indices ranged from 0.6‒0.7, respectively. Genetic profiling of the resistance genes identified erythromycin ermB 5(71.4 percent), tetracycline tetM 5(71.4 percent) and penicillin bla-Z 1(14.3 percent) only. The findings from the study have revealed GBS and S. aureus colonization of pregnant women in the Eastern Cape Province, and these have great public health implications especially for the neonates who are mostly likely to be infected during birth. The unidentifiable multidrug resistant serogroups of GBS as well as resistant S. aureus limit the choice of drugs in the management of infections caused by these pathogens more so if transmitted to infants. Therefore asymptomatic pregnant women needed to be properly educated about the bacteria as well as the precautions that need to be taken.
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- Date Issued: 2017