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Postgraduate Students’ Research Topics

Honours

Food Science Group

NameSurnameResearch TopicPrimary SupervisorCo-supervisor
TaylaWoodThe development of novel products from game meatDr P Mukwevho 
TumoMotalaProtein quality of alkaline fermented marama beansProf E Kayitesi 
KhweziNgubaneEnvironmental hygiene management, link food safetyProf EM Buys 
FamousSosahComparative release of hydroxycinnamates from sorghum bran and cowpea seed coats by saponification and enzyme hydrolysis and its effect on antioxidant capacityProf G Duodu 
MiaBurgerMetagenomic analysis of a yoghurt intervention studyProf E Buys 
Jayden DanielSaundersEffects of alkaline fermentation of cowpeas (vigna unguiculata) on their physicochemical characteristics and antioxidant properties.Prof E Kayitesi 
Lara Theresa Van den bergTechno-functional properties of whole insect powderMr P Mukwevho 
CeaserDrazaCharacterization of physicochemical and functional properties of myofibrillar and stroma protein extracts in edible cricketProf MN EmmambuxDr Y Njowe
Margaret WamaithaPhysico-chemical characteristics and radical scavenging properties of lactic acid fermented cowpeas(vigna unguiculata)Prof E Kayitesi  
LenthatileMotloungBio accessibility of phenolic compounds in acid and alkaline cooked-sorghum porridges and their antioxidant propertiesProf G Duodu 
MeganRobertsThe effect of malting on the extractability of phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity of sorghum and cowpeasProf G Duodu 
KaraboMamomeThe effect of saccharomyces boulardii on the micronutrient content of sorghum motoho.Dr N Mehlomakulu 
PearlNtshaneProperties of starch-based films enhanced with bio-based nanofillers – a comparative analysis of nanocellulose and amylose-lipid complex nanomaterials.Dr M Masanabo 
Chante Mkhabela The influence of pichia kudriavzevii as a starter culture on bioactive peptides in sorghum ting Dr N Mehlomakulu  
Ngodoo FionaUzerScreening of probiotic saccharomyces boulardii isolates for in vitro probiotic potential, fermentation performance, and stability in motoho, a traditional sorghum-based beverageDr N Mehlomakulu 

Nutrition Group

AmogelangMoemediFood intake in relation to the visual analogue scale for adultsDr M Hoffman 
Mathello Christina ShaiExploring nutrient density of complementary foods for infants born prematurely Dr M Hoffman 
NeillHaywoodFortification of whole-grain maize meal with red palm oilProf R de Kock 
Master's

Food Science Group

NameSurnameResearch TopicPrimary SupervisorCo-supervisor
Anthony HobdenThe impact of homogenization on probiotic viability in yoghurtProf E Buys 
Rutendo RoseBellEffect of kluyveromyces marxianus on the generation of bioactive peptides and their potential functional activities in fermented sorghum porridge (motoho)Dr NN MehlomakuluProf G Duodu And Prof E Kayitesi
LindelweNdlovuWhy eat pork? Effects of food choice motives and product attributesProf R de KockProf G du Rand 
JessicaDachsEffect of freezing pretreatment on the bio-active compounds and health-promoting properties of black garlicProf G Duodu Prof Serem
ChrizeldaVisserQuorum quenching potential of Lactobacillus Rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium animalis against Listeria monocytogenes under simulated gastrointestinal conditionsProf E BuysProf M Thantsha
MadonnaSibandaThe extraction and characterisation of protein from edible insectsDr P MukwevhoProf MN Emmambux
Mercy JebetInhibitory effects of nutraceutical preparation from Bambara groundnut seed coat against starch hydrolysing enzymesProf G Duodu  
JosiahMuriukiComparison of effects of lactic acid and alkaline fermentation on phenolic compounds, bioactive peptides and antioxidant properties of cowpeas (vigna unguiculata)Prof E KayitesiDr S Moyo
Beatrice AumaOyooProduction, purification and biochemical characterization of microbial proteases in alkaline fermented marama beans (Tylosema esculentum)- for potential application as ruminant meat tenderizersProf E Kayitesi  
Sonto RosePholoanaThe comparative analysis of microwave and infrared drying techniques on the shelf-life extension of sardine fishDr P MukwevhoProf MN Emmambux
Gcinile Dlamini Game meat hydrolysates produced through enzymatic hydrolysis and their stability during simulated gastric digestion Dr P MukwevhoProf G Duodu
Tshepiso MadiraMasemolaIdentification and charecterization on cellulose from lignocellulose biomassProf MN EmmambuxDr M Masanabo
Keketso JonannesMabalekaEffects of ultrasonication treatment on cooking quality, nutrition and health promoting properties of sorghum grainsProf MN Emmambux 
DelroyJaravazaEffects of heat pre-treatment methods on the volatile/semi-volatile flavour metabolites and sensory characteristics of alkaline fermented cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata)Prof E Kayitesi 

Nutrition Group

NameSurnameResearch TopicPrimary SupervisorCo-supervisor
Tshegofatso BlessingPapoleHaemoglobin levels in relation to weight status and body composition in female undergraduate studentsDr A PretoriusDr Z White
GiuliaDamilanoThe effect of traditional African foods on the gut microbiomeDr A PretoriusProf NM Emmambux
GabrielaLourencoThe effect of probiotic yoghurt on c-reactive protein and related gut microbiome in females with obesityDr A PretoriusProf E Buys

Clothing Group

NameSurnameResearch TopicPrimary SupervisorCo-supervisor
EmmyLombardExploring product attachment of velskoene among millennial consumers in South AfricaDr H Taljaard-SwartDr B Jacobs
NicoleHumeThe use of bio-materials for innovative fashionDr N Sonnenberg 
Imaan SanaaPatelExploring differences in lifestyle orientations across demographic factors of consumers buying second-hand clothing online in South Africa Dr B JacobsDr H Taljaard-Swaart 
Ofentse SegodiPhalaCultural Heritage and sustainable practices in the South African luxury fashionDr N Sonnenberg 
NataliePearsonSouth African consumer value perceptions regarding durable clothingDr C Perumal-MoodlyProf S Donoghue
BoitumeloMontshosiClothing and sensory hyperreactivity: the voice of the childDr L Diedericks Dr K van Niekerk 
MalefaHlaleleThe influence of the four realms of experience and hedonic shopping motivation on consumers' intention to visit shopping malls for clothing shopping Dr B JacobsProf S Donoghue
LeratoSerekonyaneFemale consumers' perception of and preference for local handcrafted apparel in support of sustainable clothing consumption practicesDr N Sonnenberg 
Megan du PreezInfluence of culture on vocational training in the textile fieldDr H Taljaard-Swart

Dr B Jacobs and

Dr N Sonnenberg

MerieSutherlandMapping the clothing task scape: Clothing needs for children with sensory hyperreactivityDr L DiedericksDr K van Niekerk
RizqahMahomedSustainability in luxury fashion and the influence of social media thereof Dr H Taljaard-Swart 
TasminSchwarExploring the product-related cues that female consumers’ focus on when purchasing activewear online in South Africa: An eye-tracking studyDr H Taljaard-SwardDr N Marx-Pienaar

Food Management Group

NameSurnameResearch TopicPrimary SupervisorCo-supervisor
LerikaPotgieterThe development of value-added products through culinary innovation using low-graded potatoesDr H FisherDr C Muller
MatokeloNthejaneConsumers' Engagement and satisfaction with pork menu items available in the selected foodservice units available in Gauteng, South AfricaProf G du RandDr N Marx-Pienaar
PhD

Food Science Group

NameSurnameResearch TopicPrimary SupervisorCo-supervisor
Dinhle Hlanze Application of green technologies in the extraction of phenolic-rich nutracueticles from marula wasteProf KG DuoduProf NM Emmambux
ManzimaseSishi-vilakaziToward sustainable snacking: the case of palm olein containing salty snacksProf HL de Kock 
Basirat ArinolaOlaonipekunHigh-pressure processing inactivation of bacillus spores in cold-pressed complementary foods is enhanced by acidulation with citric acid.Prof EM Buys 
DaddyKgonothiProperties of Marama bean protein concentrate with added phenolic compound modified by ultrasound and enzyme treatment Prof NM EmmambuxProf KG Duodu
Charles Antwi Enzyme-assisted extrusion cooking of high fibre puffed snacks from whole grain sorghum Prof MN EmmambuxDr N Rosa-Sibako
MemoryMuhauCharacterisation of amino acids and protein-based aroma
and flavour metabolites of alkaline fermented cowpeas
Prof E Kayitesi Dr S Moyo 
JanetNatochoHydration and mixing effect on the quality of sorghum dough and sorghum-based noodlesProf MN Emmambux 
NelsonMutwaBioprospecting for bioactive peptides production in alkaline fermented cowpeas (vigna unguiculata) using bacillus species co-cultures Prof E Kayitesi Dr S Moyo 
Emilie DanielleMbockRole of malting and fermentation in enhancing bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds and phytochemical-related health-promoting properties of sorghumProf KG DuoduProf MN Emmambux
ZomsaYakoAnti-diabetic properties of instant sorghum porridge enriched with nano-encapsulated nutraceuticals from Moringa oleifera leavesProf KG DuoduProf MN Emmambux
CeXuAI meets meat: intelligent solutions for visual quality assessment  Prof HL de Kock 
Tlaleo AzaelMaroleViability and functionality of Bifidobacterium species and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus in yoghurtProf E BuysDr T Sibanda
TilanaGraaffThe effect of storage on whole maize kernels prior to milling.Prof HL de Kock 
LilianKafukoProfiling of bioactive peptides and their health promoting properties in wheat flour fermented with Kluyveromyces MarxianusDr N MehlomakuluProf KG Duodu
Mphokuhle BekekileNcubeProperties of nanofibres from cowpea and marama bean proteins with kafirin prepared by electrospinningProf MN EmmambuxProf JRN Taylor and Prof SS Ray

Nutrition Group

NameSurnameResearch TopicPrimary SupervisorCo-supervisor
NoellaSemu-KamwendoImpact of nutrition-sensitive agriculture on nutrition outcomes among children under five years in Malawi: a case of Kulima and Afikepo projects Prof KG DuoduDr A van Graan
NoellaSemu-KamwendoImpact of nutrition-sensitive agriculture on nutrition outcomes among children under five years in Malawi: a case of Kulima and Afikepo projects Prof H C SchönfeldtDr N Sayed
MaloryJumatDevelopment and validation of a South African Dietary polyphenol databaseProf KG DuoduDr A van Graan

Clothing Group

NameSurnameResearch TopicPrimary SupervisorCo-supervisor
ZandileZamelaHuman centered design and product development of modern Xhosa inspired clothing Dr B JacobsDr H Taljaard-Swart
LimphoMoliseCustomers' attitudes towards online shopping for clothing, willingness to engage in customer citizenship behaviour and its impact on word of mouthProf S Donoghue 

Food Management Group

NameSurnameResearch TopicPrimary SupervisorCo-supervisor
MarinaFourieExploring consumer education, marketing communication and social responsibility leveraging, as agents of environmentally sustainable food consumption behavioural change, with the use of neuroscience.Dr N Marx-PienaarDr N Sonnenberg
Nadinedu Piesanie Generation Alpha: Exploring current nutritional concerns in an attempt to foster a healthier future Dr A Pretorius 

Dr N Marx-Pienaar,

Dr N Sonnenberg

Rochelle VeronicaVan VeijerenUnderlying consumer motives of food grocery procurement using projective techniquesProf S DonoghueDr A Pretorius
ZelmariCoetzeeFood safety Training programs in Restaurants in South AfricaDr N Marx-Pienaar

Prof G du Rand,

Dr B Jacobs