- Midlands State Universaity, Botany Department, UndergraduateUniversity of Stellenbosch, Zoology and Botany, Graduate StudentWalter Sisulu University, Department of Botany, Post-Docadd
Context: Medicinal and Aromatic plants (MAPs) extracts have become an essential part of exports in the developing countries. Due to the rich diversity of MAPs and as consumers of natural products increase, there is a potential to exploit... more
Context: Medicinal and Aromatic plants (MAPs) extracts have become an essential part of
exports in the developing countries. Due to the rich diversity of MAPs and as consumers
of natural products increase, there is a potential to exploit this niche market. Aim: The
objective(s) of the study was to identify and analyze challenges militating against economic
development potential of African aromatic, beverage and medicinal herbs industry. Settings
and Design: The study was undertaken in three (3) provinces (Limpopo, Mpumalanga
and the Western Cape) of South Africa. The population included all men, women and
youth involved in production/harvesting and trading of MAPs. Four focused groups of
randomly selected 30 individuals per group from the list of resource constrained farmers
provided by local extension officers were formed per province. Materials and Methods:
Using desk-top reviews, focus group discussions and key stakeholders’ interviews, the
study employed holistic and participatory methodologies to examine aspects of African
medicinal and aromatic agricultural industry in South Africa. Triangulation of qualitative
data gathered from previous research and reports, interviews, focus group discussions and
industry visits observations were done. Information was gathered from primary users of
agricultural technologies, while information on technology development and use was from
developing farmers. Key government units relating to agricultural medicinal and aromatic
industry were consulted and reports used to verify findings from focus group discussions.
Secondary data was from literature review, namely; annual reports from the Agricultural
extension (Agritex) office, non-governmental organizations and research institutions. The
majority of the data/information sources pointed to the need for encouragement towards
cultivation of MAPs as field and horticultural crops. Statistical analysis used: All the
data from focus group discussions, key informant interviews, secondary data and field
visit observations was consolidated (the South African perspective) and analyzed using
Atlas software to summarize the data. Information from the key informants’ interviews
was used to triangulate information gathered from the desktop review and focus group
discussions. Results: Major challenges observed from the study included; very lowyielding
species, poor quality outputs and poor processing methods. In addition, most
MAPs do not adhere to agricultural propagation practices, deterring them as desirable
crops. Moreover, there are many differences in traditional medicines so produced in
respect of quality. Determining the right medicinal concentrations, dosage and toxicity
concerns require highly efficient modern technologies. Other issues of concern revealed
included, intellectual property rights, lack of access to information, marketing of products
and sustainable conservation. Conclusion: The preference by consumers to have natural
products has grown over the years. This increases annually and has allowed medicinal,
aromatic plants to present a unique and niche market base for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics
and other industries (food & industrial use). South African farmers can exploit this new
industry to grow the sector, create jobs and increase economic development.
exports in the developing countries. Due to the rich diversity of MAPs and as consumers
of natural products increase, there is a potential to exploit this niche market. Aim: The
objective(s) of the study was to identify and analyze challenges militating against economic
development potential of African aromatic, beverage and medicinal herbs industry. Settings
and Design: The study was undertaken in three (3) provinces (Limpopo, Mpumalanga
and the Western Cape) of South Africa. The population included all men, women and
youth involved in production/harvesting and trading of MAPs. Four focused groups of
randomly selected 30 individuals per group from the list of resource constrained farmers
provided by local extension officers were formed per province. Materials and Methods:
Using desk-top reviews, focus group discussions and key stakeholders’ interviews, the
study employed holistic and participatory methodologies to examine aspects of African
medicinal and aromatic agricultural industry in South Africa. Triangulation of qualitative
data gathered from previous research and reports, interviews, focus group discussions and
industry visits observations were done. Information was gathered from primary users of
agricultural technologies, while information on technology development and use was from
developing farmers. Key government units relating to agricultural medicinal and aromatic
industry were consulted and reports used to verify findings from focus group discussions.
Secondary data was from literature review, namely; annual reports from the Agricultural
extension (Agritex) office, non-governmental organizations and research institutions. The
majority of the data/information sources pointed to the need for encouragement towards
cultivation of MAPs as field and horticultural crops. Statistical analysis used: All the
data from focus group discussions, key informant interviews, secondary data and field
visit observations was consolidated (the South African perspective) and analyzed using
Atlas software to summarize the data. Information from the key informants’ interviews
was used to triangulate information gathered from the desktop review and focus group
discussions. Results: Major challenges observed from the study included; very lowyielding
species, poor quality outputs and poor processing methods. In addition, most
MAPs do not adhere to agricultural propagation practices, deterring them as desirable
crops. Moreover, there are many differences in traditional medicines so produced in
respect of quality. Determining the right medicinal concentrations, dosage and toxicity
concerns require highly efficient modern technologies. Other issues of concern revealed
included, intellectual property rights, lack of access to information, marketing of products
and sustainable conservation. Conclusion: The preference by consumers to have natural
products has grown over the years. This increases annually and has allowed medicinal,
aromatic plants to present a unique and niche market base for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics
and other industries (food & industrial use). South African farmers can exploit this new
industry to grow the sector, create jobs and increase economic development.
Research Interests:
Methanol and water extracts from Gunnera perpensa rhizomes and Heteromorpha arborescens roots were investigated for their in vitro antimicrobial activities. These plants are implicated in the treatment of dysmenorrhoea in the Eastern... more
Methanol and water extracts from Gunnera perpensa rhizomes and Heteromorpha arborescens roots were investigated for their in vitro antimicrobial activities. These plants are implicated in the treatment of dysmenorrhoea in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Ten bacterial strains (5 Gram positive and 5 Gram negative) and four fungal strains were selected for the antimicrobial assays. Both plant species were active against the Gram positive bacteria, with G. perpensa being more effective than H. arborescens. The antifungal assays showed all extracts significantly inhibiting the growth of four strains and Candida albicans not inhibited by all. The LC 50 values ranged from 0.07 to 3.81 for all the extracts. Albeit the fact that most of the fungal species used in the investigation are not directly implicated as human pathogens, it was important to assess the extracts activity against them. These may give rise to fungicides that can be employed in therapy.
Heteromorpha arborescens belongs to the family Apiaceae. It is commonly known as the parsley tree. One of its uses in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa is for the treatment of abdominal pains. The therapeutic effects of the... more
Heteromorpha arborescens belongs to the family Apiaceae. It is commonly known as the parsley tree. One of its uses in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa is for the treatment of abdominal pains. The therapeutic effects of the methanolic and aqueous root extracts of H. arborescens were investigated at two dose levels respectively on experimental models of pain and inflammation in rodents. The antinociceptive activity was evaluated using the hot-plate, abdominal constriction and formalin tests. The anti-inflammatory properties of these extracts were assessed using albumin and carrageenan as phlogistic agents. Both extracts produced significant (P<0.05, P<0.01) inhibition of thermal nociception induced by a hot plate. On chemical nociception induced by intraperitoneal acetic acid and subplantar formalin injection, both extracts significantly (P<0.05, P<0.01) decreased the number of writhing episodes and the licking time in a dose dependent manner. Treatment with the e...
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The wild leafy vegetable, Corchorus olitorius L, has a potential for development as a crop. Self propagation of this species is by seed. In an attempt to improve the length of time of its availability, the effects of pre-chilling and... more
The wild leafy vegetable, Corchorus olitorius L, has a potential for development as a crop. Self propagation of this species is by seed. In an attempt to improve the length of time of its availability, the effects of pre-chilling and temperature on germination of its seeds were investigated. Although it had a seed viability of 90.1% (using the tetrazolium technique), seed subjected to a temperature of 25 o C for both pre-chilled and unchilled seeds showed no germination. Seeds subjected to a temperature of 35 o C did germinate with a maximum of 88% germination from seeds that had been pre-chilled for 3 ½ days compared to those which were unchilled, pre-chilled for a day or pre-chilled for 7 days. Pre-chilling followed by exposure to a temperature higher than 30 o C encourages germination of C. olitorius seeds. Nursery establishment under such conditions may improve its length of availability.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
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Salvia africana-lutea L., an important medicinal sage used in the Western Cape (South Africa), can be termed a 'broad-spectrum remedy' suggesting the presence of a multiplicity of bioactive metabolites. This study aimed at... more
Salvia africana-lutea L., an important medicinal sage used in the Western Cape (South Africa), can be termed a 'broad-spectrum remedy' suggesting the presence of a multiplicity of bioactive metabolites. This study aimed at assessing wild S. africana-lutea populations for chemotypic variation and anti-Fusarium properties. Samples were collected from four wild growing population sites (Yzerfontein, Silwerstroomstrand, Koeberg and Brackenfell) and one garden growing location in Stellenbosch. Their antifungal activities against Fusarium verticillioides (strains: MRC 826 and MRC 8267) and F. proliferatum (strains: MRC 6908 and MRC 7140) that are aggressive mycotoxigenic phytopathogens were compared using an in vitro microdilution assay. To correlate antifungal activity to chemical profiles, three techniques viz. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS); Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) were employed. Principal Component A...
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A pomegranate cultivar (Wonderful) from all three localities in Western Cape province of South Africa during the 2013 season was evaluated for chemical properties. Fruits were analyzed for total soluble solids (TSS) or °Brix, titratable... more
A pomegranate cultivar (Wonderful) from all three localities in Western Cape province of South Africa during the 2013 season was evaluated for chemical properties. Fruits were analyzed for total soluble solids (TSS) or °Brix, titratable acidity (TA) and juice pH. Chemical properties evaluated were; total phenols, anthocyanin, antioxidant, organic sugars and acids. Results of the study revealed significant variations in all measured parameters attributed to location. Total soluble solids content varied from 16.0 – 17.3 (°Brix), pH values from 2.7 – 3.0, titratable acid content varied from 1.3 – 1.7 and maturity index from 9.7 – 13.4. Anthocyanins, total phenols and antioxidants were 772 – 1134 mg/100ml; 1611 – 1834 mg/100ml and 12.57 – 14.84 mg/100ml, respectively. Organic acids (citric and malic) and organic sugar (fructose, glucose and sucrose) had significant differences, while no differences were shown in Acetic acid across the production areas. Location and cultivar therefore pl...