Press release statement

Submitted by: The Department of Marketing & Communications

Via email: Hlophe@mut.ac.za

 

21 March 2023

South Africa’s plant species key to the discovery of novel antibiotic against WHO-identified ‘critical’ drug-resistant pathogen – MUT study found

 

In its 2017 response to the scourge of drug-resistant pathogenic infections, the World Health Organization (WHO) identified a list of pathogens that it described as critical, high and medium priority in terms of the urgency of the need for novel antibiotics. The Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) bacteria were named among the three bacterial strains that WHO classified as a critical research priority.

A recent study by MUT researchers found that the South African plant species could hold the potent key to the discovery of novel antibiotics against the drug-resistant P. aeruginosa bacteria.

“P. aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that commonly infects individuals who are immune compromised, particularly those infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and/or those suffering from cancer. It is a common etiological agent of hospital-acquired pneumonia, urinary tract infections and bacteremia,” explained the study.

The study was conducted by MUT’s Dr McMaster Vambe, Postdoctoral Researcher; Professor Roger Coopoosamy, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences; Professor Kuben Naidoo, Acting Head of the Department of Nature Conservation; and Professor Georgina Arthur, whom until her recent retirement was a member of staff in the Department of Nature Conservation.

Titled, ‘South African medicinal plants screened against Pseudomonas aeruginosa’, the study was published in the Journal of Medicinal Plants for Economic Development.

In its review of ethnobotanical studies relating to the pathogen, the study found that only 31 were published over two decades and none of these studies was dedicated solely to P. aeruginosa. Another startling finding was that none of the studies on the pathogen was published in the first three years after the WHO classified it as a critical research priority.

The study, which evaluated various studies that screened plants against the pathogen, found that a total of 152 plant species were screened against the bacterium using crude plant extracts.

“It was encouraging to note that almost half of all plant species evaluated demonstrated noteworthy antibacterial activities against the pathogen,” the study explained.

In terms of phytochemical analysis, the study singled out a study which identified and isolated a compound called plumbagin from the leaves of Asteraceae.

“Interestingly, the compound displayed potent bactericidal effects against P. aeruginosa. To the best of our knowledge, this was the only successful attempt at isolating potent anti-P. aeruginosa from South African medicinal plants documented over the past 20 years,” the study confirmed.

The study also reviewed research that was conducted on the feasibility of using plants in combination therapy to combat P. aeruginosa. The study explained that combination therapies were important because they “widen the antibacterial spectrum, improve the efficacy of clinically ineffective drugs and generally delay the development of antibiotic resistance”.

Several reviewed studies that tested combination therapies where South African medicinal plant extracts interacted with conventional antibiotics against P. aeruginosa generated promising results. The study concluded that these combination therapies could be the quickest and cheapest way to fight the P. aeruginosa pathogen.

“The use of drug-resistance modifying agents in combination therapies could potentially improve the efficacy and hence allow the possible reintroduction of some clinically ineffective antibiotics. From a financial point of view, this approach seems more appealing than developing novel therapeutic agents which customarily have to undergo extensive efficacy and safety evaluations before approval,” the study advised.

 

Contact Bheki Hlophe (hlophe@mut.ac.za) to arrange interviews.

 

End/s

Press release statement

Submitted by: The Department of Marketing & Communications

Via email: Hlophe@mut.ac.za

 

12 March 2023

MUT study identifies strengthening tutoring as key to students’ academic success

It is widely accepted in academia that tutoring forms an integral part of any university’s academic support system. This is more so in the case of South Africa where a growing number of students, who are underprepared for university, join higher education institutions in the beginning of every year in search of academic success.

In an attempt to strengthen academic support to students and stop the revolving door syndrome in higher education, where large numbers of students drop out without completing their qualifications, a study by Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) researchers identified the reconfiguration of the tutoring programme to be sustainable and efficient as a possible solution to improving student support.

Co-authored by Dr Phiwayinkosi Gumede, Acting Senior Director of the Teaching and Learning Development Centre at MUT, and Mashango Sithole, Coordinator of the Peer Assisted Learning and Foundation Provision in the same department; the study was published in the Perspectives in Education journal.

Dr Gumede and Sithole’s study explained that what could help support students is a “sustainable and effective tutorship programme, characterised by qualified and well-trained tutors, stable policy, adequate resources, effective coordination of the activities, and cooperation amongst key role players”.

The study proposed that the tutoring programme should be approached as a system with interrelated components which work together towards a common objective. The two researchers proposed a tutoring programme as a subsystem with three pillars, which are Inputs, Transformation and Output.

Input encompasses the key resources, role players, beneficiaries and structure (tutoring policy).

“The development and implementation of the tutor policy is the bedrock of implementing a tutorship programme, as it ensures standardisation and point of reference for coherence, without which the stability of the programme may be compromised,” explained the study.

The study also cautioned that as much as policies are important, periodic reviews of these policies was important in ensuring that they responded to changes in external and internal environments.

The bulk of the work happens at the second pillar, Transformation. This is where tutors are recruited, trained, and given the necessary support to effectively render their tutoring duties. This is also where the coordination of the tutoring programme takes place; tutoring policies are developed, implemented and reviewed; along with tutorial venue allocations and monitoring the whole programme.

The Output of all these efforts would be a sustainable and effective tutoring programme with “qualified and well-trained tutors, stable policy, adequate resources, effective coordination”, the study explained.

The most critical elements of this system are funding, coordination, tutors, and policies. An investment in these elements is necessary for the tutoring programme’s efficiency and sustainability.

“Tutorship should be considered an integral part of the university system with adequate allocation of resources and efficient coordination of the tutorship programme activities. Long term sustainability is pertinent, considering that tutorship programmes are one of the key interventions put in place by universities to ameliorate poor student success challenges and are part of student support and development mechanisms,” the study recommended.

Contact Bheki Hlophe (hlophe@mut.ac.za) for enquiries or to arrange interviews.

 

End/s

Press release statement

Submitted by: The Department of Marketing & Communications

Via email: Hlophe@mut.ac.za

 

8 March 2023

MUT saddened by shooting of former student outside the university

Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) is sad to confirm that a former student was gunned down outside the University’s main campus yesterday. The MUT community is still reeling with shock and disbelief at the brazen nature of this shooting, which took place during the day.

Although the shooting took place outside the University premises, the University is cooperating with the South African Police Services investigators for any assistance that may be required from the University. Students have also been informed that Student Counselling unit is available for trauma debriefing and any support for those who witnessed the shooting and/or may be affected by the shooting.

The University wants to re-iterate that MUT remains safe for staff and students. Security remains tight and on high alert to ensure the safety of staff, students and the university community.

The University is concerned by the escalating murder and serious crimes rates in South Africa and is appealing to those who might have any information on the shooting to contact the South African Police Services. MUT is also encouraging staff and students to prioritise safety and to remain vigilant even outside university premises.

 

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Press release statement

Submitted by: The Department of Marketing & Communications

Via email: Hlophe@mut.ac.za

 

1 March 2023

 

Eat lettuce and cabbage, but worry about the irrigation water – MUT study finds

A study by Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) researchers cautioned against the long-term reuse of irrigated water with hazardous metals because it causes an excessive build-up of the metals in soil and crops.

Co-authored by S’busiso Nkosi, a Deputy Director at the Technology Station in Chemicals at MUT, and Nomaxhosa Msimango, a Control Technician at MUT’s Department of Chemistry, the study was published in the South African Journal of Science. It was titled, ‘Screening of zinc, copper and iron in lettuce and Chinese cabbage cultivated in Durban, South Africa, towards human risk assessment’.

While the study found heavy metals to be within global limit for agricultural use in the sampled plants (lettuce and Chinese Cabbage), it found that water from the nearby river which is used for irrigation was contaminated with heavy metals.

“The content levels of Cu [copper] and Fe [iron] in water were measured to be 0.075 mg/kg and 0.731 mg/kg respectively, which exceeds the WHO [World Health Organisation]/FAO [Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations] standard parameters of 0.017 mg/kg and 0.50 mg/kg, respectively,” the study found.

The study was conducted at The Fair Food Company & Adamame Development Programme in Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The irrigation water used in this agricultural site was collected from Umgeni River.

“Consumption of high levels of copper can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gastric (stomach) complaints and headaches. Long-term exposure over many months and years can cause liver damage and death. Zinc is considered a fundamental component for human existence; however, acute and chronic exposure to excessively high concentrations of zinc can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever and lethargy. Excess iron in the system can cause cirrhosis when deposited in the pancreas, liver cancer when deposited in the liver and cardiac arrythmia when deposited in the heart,” the study warns.

The study findings indicate that waste management and healthy environmental practices in the areas surrounding the Umgeni River are critical to ensuring that the river is not contaminated with heavy metals.

“It is recommended that, to keep the environment less affected by heavy metals, proactive health agencies, trash disposal knowledge, and best practices should be maintained,” the study recommended.

 

Contact Bheki Hlophe (hlophe@mut.ac.za) for enquiries or to arrange interviews.

 

End/s

Press release statement

Submitted by: The Department of Marketing & Communications

Via email: Hlophe@mut.ac.za

 

7 February 2023

Social learning interventions key to the successful introduction of new agricultural crops – MUT study finds

A recent study by Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) academics found social learning interventions to be necessary for any success in introducing new agricultural crops that contribute to nutritional diversity, and fight food insecurity.

The study – “Introducing grain legumes for crop diversification and sustainable food production systems among urban small-holder farmers: food and nutrition security project in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa” – was published in the journal of Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems Volume 46, Number 6.

It was co-authored by Dr Bonginkosi Mthembu, the Head of the Department of Community Extension at MUT; Dr Xolile Mkhize, a Senior Lecturer in the same department; Professor Wilna Oldewage-Theron of Texas Tech University; Professor Carin Napier, the Director of Research and Postgraduate Support at the Durban University of Technology (DUT); and Kevin Duffy, Director of the Institute of Systems Science at DUT.

The study found that “social learning interventions through partnerships, meetings, workshops, knowledge exchanges, as well as trial demonstrations, provided farmers with knowledge and skills on various legume crop management techniques”.

The two MUT academics’ study also found that training farmers on “legume nutritional benefits” shifted mind-sets on enhancing crop diversification and managing legumes from production level. The study added that the change in mind-sets was necessary for sustainable land management.

“The study demonstrated that the farmers had the capacity to adopt new behaviours of accepting and adaptation toward legume diversity within their production systems. Continuous commitment and compliance within the planting seasons were part of the positive behaviour shifts which can have environmental impact. However, this occurred provided that continued support was given and that they had access to basic services and inputs such as seed, water, and soil enrichment fertilizers,” the study revealed.

The study also contributes to efforts to enhance food security and increase legume consumption; the legume is an important and environmentally friendly source of protein. This is because of the “stronger correlation between female farmers and successful production of legumes”. This is because women played a vital role in deciding what to plant, and in influencing the consumption of legumes.

The study was conducted at Marianhill, north-west of Durban, with urban small-holder farmers. The farmers involved in the project previously only planted vegetables and relied on the municipality to make seeds available to them, which limited what these farmers could plant. Urban small-holder farmers were chosen because of their potential to “increase and improve food and nutrition security in urban areas”, the study revealed.

However, the study acknowledged that although social learning interventions were key to successfully introducing new crops, the shortage of water and pest infestation needed to be addressed.

Contact Bheki Hlophe (hlophe@mut.ac.za) for enquiries or to arrange interviews.

 

End/s

Press release statement

Submitted by: The Department of Marketing & Communications

Via email: Hlophe@mut.ac.za

 

14 February 2023

Brewery wastewater has the potential to become bioenergy – MUT study finds

As water continues to be a scarce resource globally and the energy crisis strengthens its grip on South Africa, researchers are trying to find environmentally friendly ways of extracting the full benefits of the resources that we already have.

A recent study co-authored by Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) Acting Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Professor Babatunde Bakare, found that brewery wastewater has the potential to be turned into bioenergy because of its high organic strength using anaerobic technology.

Professor Bakare co-authored the paper with the Durban University of Technology’s Professor Sudesh Rathilal, Siphesihle Mangena Khumalo, and Emmanuel Kweinor Tetteh. The title of the study, which was published in the journal of Water, was “Characterization of South African Brewery Wastewater: Oxidation-Reduction Potential Variation”.

The findings of this study are important because although the brewing industry is essential for the South African economy, brewing requires a lot of water.

“Generally, brewing of beer requires substantial amounts of water: to make 1 m3 of beer, a volume of wastewater of 10-20 m3 is produced,” the study explained. “The brewing process includes malting, mashing, wort filtering, wort boiling, fermentation, maturation, stabilization, and clarification.”

In terms of the Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP), the study found that “brewery wastewater can be treated by biological processes on the basis that the reported ORP range permits biological activities”.

As far as the brewery wastewater composition is concerned, the study found that the contents of the water depended largely on the activities that were taking place at the brewery.

“The brewery wastewater treatment plant influent stream composition fluctuates significantly owing to the brewery in-house activities (i.e., washing of malted barley, which is rich in carbohydrates, brewing kettles, yeast fermentation tanks, as well as other beer processing units) and the chemical utilized. The high concentration in terms of orthophosphates and ammoniacal nitrogen could be a result of the type of acids used during brewing yeast cleaning, such as phosphoric acid and nitric acid,” the study discovered.

The contents found in the wastewater give the brewery wastewater a high potential for it to be turned into bioenergy. These findings strike a double for the environment and for South Africa’s energy crisis which has been characterized by frequent electricity loadshedding at a national level.

The study was conducted at a brewery facility in the Durban area.

Contact Bheki Hlophe (hlophe@mut.ac.za) for enquiries or to arrange interviews.

 

Submitted by: The Department of Marketing & Communications

Via email: Hlophe@mut.ac.za

2 January 2023

 

MUT excellence grips job-seeking South Africans

A mobile app to help South African graduates seeking employment, Job X, may just be what the doctor ordered to curb a high unemployment rate in South Africa.

Job X, which was conceptualised and developed by Mzamo Mbhele, a third-year Information Technology (Software Development) student at Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT), has become the talk of the town. This is after Job X, a zero-rated app that allows users to download and use it without having any data, received over 10,000 users in its first week and well over 40,000 downloads so far.

“We are humbled by this achievement from our IT student in the Faculty of Natural Sciences. I wish to reiterate what our Acting Vice-Chancellor & Principal, Professor Marcus Ramogale, always say to our graduates, “let not your past determine your future”. Today, we are seeing a MUT graduate making international headlines, and this shows that our strategic direction on excellence has begun to bear some fruits,” said Dr Manyane Makua, Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning at MUT.

“We are proud of Mzamo Mbhele, and we will assist him to protect his product. We are on course with enhancing our incubation centre. Mbhele will be able to be protected in an environment where he could imagine more innovations,” added Dr Makua.

The University has noted the support by the media and wishes to encourage the media not to shy away from saying Mbhele is a Mangosuthu University of Technology graduate, not a KZN graduate.

Contact Bheki Hlophe (hlophe@mut.ac.za) for further information or to arrange interviews.

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