A day in the life at the University of Pretoria. 21 September 2021

On this "Day in the life of the University of Pretoria" UP remembered the International Day of Awareness of Food lost and Waste by highlighting the role played by UP scientist to address this problem.

An article featured in the JuniorTukkie explained that in South Africa alone there are more than 8.6 tons of food wasted before it is even purchased by a consumers. To address this problem, researchers from the Department of Zoology and Entomology are studying how insects can help in “waste bioconversion” or retrieving nutrient from waste using living organisms.  Prof Chris Weldon explained how several of his students are examining the use of flies in bioconversion. The team found that blowflies and blackflies  are especially effective in converting meat, fruit and vegetable waste. The team are further  studying how to best dry the fly larvae for processing into animal feed. To read Prof Weldon's article on this topic please follow this link to the November 2021 JT Magazine.

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