Thesis (MTech (Biomedical Technology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2008. / Bibliography: leaves 66-79. Also available online.

Thesis (MSc Food Sc) (Food Science)--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / The change in aspalathin, iso-orientin, orientin and total polyphenol (TP) content of a commercially produced fermented rooibos (FR) extract was monitored throughout production. Particular attention was paid to the effect of spray-drying on FR and unfermented rooibos (UR) extracts. The quality of commercial, South African rooibos iced teas made with FR extract was also investigated with respect to the aforementioned parameters. Subsequently, the effect of heating and storage on the phenolic composition and colour of experimental iced teas containing respectively FR, UR and nano emulsified unfermented rooibos (NEUR) extracts was investigated. The combined effect of pH (pH 3-7) and storage (5, 30 and 40ºC), as well as high (660 mg/L, 0-7 days at 30ºC; UR only) and low (0.5 mg/L) concentrations of H2O2, was determined on reconstituted FR, UR and NEUR extracts. Finally, eight rooibos iced teas (four variants; unflavoured and lemon-flavoured) were analysed for plant-like, hay-like, rooibos and lemon flavour, as well as astringency, using descriptive sensory analysis. The degree of consumer preference of the flavoured variants was determined using the nine point hedonic scale. In all cases, changes in individual flavonoid content were quantified using HPLC. The TP content of the iced teas and commercial extracts was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu assay. Browning of the iced teas and reconstituted extracts was monitored spectrophotometrically (420 nm). Aspalathin, iso-orientin and orientin were found to be present after all stages of the FR extract production process. Spray-drying, specifically, also did not reduce the content of these flavonoids, or the TP content, in FR and UR extracts. Despite the relatively good retention during the heating and storage of experimental rooibos iced teas, these flavonoids were either absent or present at extremely low levels in commercial iced teas. The latter suggested that either extremely low quantities of extract, no extract at all or extracts of poor quality, were used for the production of the analysed iced teas. Increased degradation was generally observed for sterilisation treatments compared to pasteurisation whilst losses during storage increased with time. The presence of citric acid, due to its pH-lowering effect, and ascorbic acid, due to its antioxidant activity, was integral to the retention of aspalathin, iso-orientin and orientin during heating, but less so during storage. The UR iced teas generally performed better than their FR counterparts, however, NEUR iced teas exhibited the greatest retention of the aforementioned flavonoids. Heating and storage resulted in browning of most iced teas, whilst the TP content increased slightly or remained unchanged. Phenolic retention in FR and UR extracts decreased with increasing pH and temperature, with concomitant browning. However, between pH 5 and 7, the stability of aspalathin was superior in the NEUR extract formulation. The latter also greatly resisted absorbance changes at pH 3 and 4, despite a loss of aspalathin. The phenolic content of UR extract was immediately reduced by high a concentration of H2O2, however, no significant (P≥0.05) changes in absorbance were detected, suggesting the formation of intermediate, colourless oxidation products. Formulations containing ascorbic acid experienced the greatest reductions. This was attributed to the iron reducing ability of this compound, as reduced iron accelerates the rate of the Fenton reaction. At low levels of H2O2, only the FR extract exhibited a loss of phenolic compounds. The level of iron in this extract was the highest. Despite having the greatest aspalathin and total flavonoid content, lemon flavoured unfermented rooibos iced tea (UF/LEMON) was disliked by consumers. Preference was directed away from the plant-like characteristic of this tea and towards rooibos flavour, characteristic of fermented rooibos iced tea. Iced tea comprising both FR and NEUR extract produced a product that 77% of consumers rated positively. Its slight hay-like flavour did not significantly (P≥0.05) reduce the liking of this product compared to fermented rooibos iced tea.

Thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Biomedical Technology In the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences At the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2012 / Human and experimental animal studies have shown that biomarkers of oxidative damage are elevated in subjects with certain diseases or risk factors. Consequently, it is hypothesized that oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of these diseases and that dietary intake of, or supplementation with antioxidants may be protective or be useful therapeutic targets. This study was designed to investigate the modulatory effect of Camellia sinensis (Chinese green tea), Aspalathus linearis (rooibos herbal tea) and the two commercial supplements on the antioxidant status of the liver and kidney of tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced oxidative stress male Wistar rats. Rooibos and green tea are beverages well-known for their antioxidant content. Based on the specific beverage consumed, sixty male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into six groups, i.e. fermented rooibos (FRT), unfermented rooibos (URT), Chinese green tea (CGT), rooibos supplement (RTS), Chinese green tea supplement (GTS) and control (CTL). The animals had free access to the respective beverages and standard diet for 10 weeks, while oxidative stress was induced during the last 2 weeks via intraperitoneal injection of 30 μM of t-BHP per 100 g body weight. Among all the beverage and/or supplement preparations, the commercial rooibos supplement had the highest total polyphenol content and antioxidant activity while fermented rooibos, as previously shown, had a lower antioxidant content and potency when compared to its unfermented counterpart. The ability of these beverages and/or supplements to modulate the antioxidant status in tissues was organ specific and varied according to the assessment method. When considering the liver, the intake of unfermented rooibos, Chinese green tea and the commercial rooibos supplement significantly (P<0.05) restored the t-BHP-induced reduction and increased the antioxidant status with regards to oxygen radical absorbance capacity and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) levels. All the beverages and/or supplements also significantly (P<0.05) enhanced the renal antioxidant capacity as assessed by the TEAC assay. In what may be an indication of decreased oxidative stress, all the beverages were associated with a general decline in activities of the antioxidant enzymes which reached significant levels in renal superoxidase dismutase activity. Generally, the beverages did not impact significantly on lipid peroxidation (LPO) although there were differing trends in the two LPO markers assessed. While thiobarbituric acid reactive substances levels showed a declining trend in both tissues, the conjugated dienes were generally elevated. In conclusion, this study confirms Camellia sinensis and Aspalathus linearis as well as their two supplements as good sources of dietary antioxidants and results demonstrated that rooibos and green tea improved the liver and kidney antioxidant capacity of oxidative stress-induced rats. Their impact on antioxidant status in rats was shown to vary between organs and according to the method of assessment. Hence multi-method, multi-organ assessment may be a more informative approach in in vivo antioxidant studies.

Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Technology: Biomedical Technology In the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences At the CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, 2012 / Oxidative stress and chronic (low-grade) inflammation are inseparably interconnected and both have been implicated in the aetiology of many disease states. The use of plant extracts for disease prevention and therapeutic purposes, is gaining more attention because of the health benefits of the bioactive phytochemicals in these extracts. This thesis reports on the antioxidant status, the oxidative stress modulation and anti-inflammatory properties of fermented rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) and red palm oil (RPO) from the oil palm plant (Elaeis guineensis) using a long-term and two short-term in vivo models. In the first (long-term) study, the effect of chronic feeding of rooibos, RPO or their combination on the endogenous antioxidant system was investigated. Data from this study provided:  The first scientific evidence that chronic feeding of rooibos, RPO or their combination for 22 weeks did not adversely affect the liver or kidney function parameters.  The first scientific evidence that chronic feeding of rooibos alone, or together with RPO for 22 weeks modulated the endogenous antioxidant system by inhibiting MDA formation and augmenting the reduced glutathione status.  The first scientific evidence of an additive or synergistic interaction in the ability of rooibos and RPO to modulate the endogenous antioxidant system. The second (short-term) study investigated the protective effects of rooibos, RPO or their combination on tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced oxidative hepatotoxicity, and results from this study provided:  The first evidence of the ability of the two extracts, either alone or in combination to protect against t-BHP induced hepatotoxicity. Supplementation of rooibos, RPO or their combination for eight weeks reversed the hepatic damage induced by t-BHP. The changes induced by t-BHP in the activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR) were reversed by these plant extracts. The extracts, supplemented alone or combined prevented lipid peroxidation as shown by the decreased levels of conjugated dienes iv (CD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and reversed the t-BHP.-induced impairment of the glutathione redox status. The third (short-term) study provided the first scientific evidence of the in vivo anti-inflammatory properties of rooibos and RPO. The properties were demonstrated using a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced hepatic endotoxemic model by:  Providing the first evidence of an additive or synergistic interaction in the ability of the combined rooibos extract and RPO supplementation to reverse LPS-induced hepatic damage.  Providing the first evidence for the modulation of the inflammatory responses by rooibos extract, RPO or their combination. Supplementation of rooibos extract, RPO or their combination for four weeks, modulated LPS-induced inflammatory responses by inhibiting the synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6).  Providing evidence that the observed anti-inflammatory effects of rooibos and RPO may be related to their ability to modulate oxidative stress. Supplementation of rooibos extract, RPO or their combination for four weeks, prevented hepatic lipid peroxidation induced by LPS by decreasing CD and MDA formation in the liver. Changes induced in the activities of antioxidant enzymes were reversed and the glutathione redox status was augmented. Based on these study results, it is proposed that the ability of rooibos and RPO to protect the liver, modulate endogenous antioxidant system and inhibit inflammatory responses may be associated with the unique combination of antioxidant phytochemicals in both plant extracts. The study suggested possible mechanism(s) for the observed health effects, and the development of rooibos and RPO as nutraceuticals, which may be beneficial in the prophylactic management of oxidant-induced liver injury.

Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Doctor of Technology: Biomedical Technology In the Faculty of Health and Wellness At the CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, 2012 / Diabetes mellitus is a major health problem not only in urban, but also in the rural areas and is diagnosed by the presence of high glucose levels in the blood. Oxidative stress is known to be actively involved in the onset and progression of diabetes and its complications. Antioxidants have important roles in biological systems by scavenging free radicals which may result in oxidative damage of biological molecules such as lipids, proteins and DNA. Red palm oil, originally from the tropical area of Africa, generally consumed as cooking oil, is known to have some beneficial health effects due to the presence of lipid soluble antioxidants such as carotenoids, tocopherols and tocotrienols. It also contains almost an equal proportion of both saturated and unsaturated fatty acids which makes it distinctive from other vegetable oils. Rooibos, on the other hand, is grown in the Cederberg area of the Western Cape in South Africa and it is commonly consumed as a beverage. It contains a complex profile of water soluble antioxidants (flavonoids) and its health promoting potentials have been reported extensively. Some of the flavonoids present in rooibos include aspalathin, nothofagin, quercetin, rutin and orientin. The objective of this research project was to examine the potential beneficial effects of the dietary intake of red palm oil and rooibos on streptozotocin-induced hyperglycaemia and its influence on the antioxidant status and some biochemical parameters in male Wistar rats. The preliminary phase of this study was designed to investigate the biochemical effects of these two plant products at different dosages following consumption for a period of 7 weeks. The preliminary study did not reveal any adverse effects of the different dosages of red palm oil (1 ml, 2 ml and 4 ml) and rooibos (2%, 4% and 6%) on the experimental rats following dietary intake for 7 weeks. However, these natural products showed an improvement in the antioxidant status of the rats at the different doses. Using a single dose each of both plant products from the preliminary study, the main study was performed to investigate the influence of these two plant products singly and in combination on the blood and liver of streptozotocin-induced hyperglycaemic male Wistar rats. In the main study, streptozotocin (50 mg/kg) dissolved in 0.1 M citrate buffer (pH 4.5) through intramuscular injection was used for the induction of diabetes which was confirmed by the presence of high blood glucose after 72 hours. Red palm oil or rooibos extract alone did not have any effect on the control of blood glucose in the diabetic rats. The dietary intake of the combined treatment with red palm and rooibos had more health promoting effects on the diabetic rats which included a decrease in blood glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin, fructosamine and increased insulin levels. There was a marked increase in liver glycogen levels in all the diabetic groups. Treatment with rooibos alone showed a decrease in glycogen levels in the diabetic rats. The presence of liver enzymes in the serum, commonly used as indicators of liver damage was increased in all the diabetic rats. However, the combined treatment of diabetic rats with red palm oil and rooibos protected the liver from injury. Red palm oil improved high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (HDL-cholesterol) in the diabetic rats. There was no effect on the activity of glucokinase, the first enzyme in the the glycolytic pathway in both the untreated and treated diabetic rats. However, the activity of pyruvate kinase, the last enzyme in the glycolytic pathway was reduced in all the diabetic groups. The combined treatment with both red palm and rooibos increased the activity of pyruvate kinase. Oxidative stress was confirmed in the diabetic rats with an increase in the plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), an indicator of lipid peroxidation. Treatment of diabetic rats with rooibos and the combination of red palm oil and rooibos brought plasma TBARS to a level that was not significantly different from the normal control group. There was a non-significant reduction of total glutathione in the non-treated and treated diabetic groups. A non-significant increase in the activity of liver catalase was observed in all the treated diabetic groups. The activity of superoxide dismutase was significantly decreased in the liver of diabetic rats. Diabetic rats treated with red palm oil, rooibos and the combined treatment showed an increased activity of superoxide dismutase in the liver. Red palm oil and the combined treatment increased the activity of glutathione peroxidase in both the red blood cells and liver of diabetic rats. Red palm oil, rooibos and their combined treatments also improved the plasma antioxidant capacity such as ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and oxygen reducing absorbance capacity (ORAC) in the diabetic rats. In conclusion, oxidative stress is actively involved in the progression of diabetes mellitus. Red palm oil and rooibos, most especially their combined treatment showed significant beneficial health promoting effects in the diabetic rats. The remarkable effects of the combined treatment of red palm oil and rooibos in the diabetic rats could be due to their antioxidant profiles. Based on the findings from this study, it can be adduced that these plant products could help in the management of diabetes and its complications and therefore, suggested the need for further research studies on antioxidant therapy in the management of diabetes mellitus.

Thesis (MTech (Biomedical Technology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2014. / Over the past few decades, it has been shown that various critical diseases including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes associated with free radical generation and low endogenous antioxidant capacity, lead to oxidative stress and cell injury. In recent years, numerous studies have also reported that antioxidants, present in various beverages, vegetables and some foods have attracted a significant research interest due to their potential benefits to human health. However, epidemiological evidence shows a correlation between the intake of food rich in antioxidants and the reduced incidence of some mortality of chronic diseases, certain cancers and coronary heart disease. The aims of this study were to determine the effects of rooibos teas (fermented and unfermented) and green tea as a comparison on the biochemical parameters and the trace element absorption in a rat model. In this study 4 groups of experimental animals were used. All groups had ad libitum access to standard rat chow. Group A, the controls (11 animals), were fed with tap water; group B (11 animals) were fed with the liquid extract of fermented rooibos tea; group C (9 animals) were fed with the liquid extracts of unfermented rooibos and group 0 (9 animals) were fed with the liquid extract of green tea. All groups were fed for a period of 10 weeks. After the feeding period, the animals were sacrificed by euthanization with intraperitoneal injections of pentobarbital. Blood was sampled by cardiac puncture and centrifuged to obtain the serum. Some elemental analyses were performed with X-ray emission and backscattering. ICP-OES was used to determine the magnesium content. For X-ray emission, backscattering and ICP-OES analyses, 100 µL of each serum sample in a group were added to 2 ml freeze-drying tube. Of the combined specimen, 100 µL was used for the magnesium determination by ICP-OES. The remainder of the combined serum specimens for each group were freeze-dried at -80°C and then pressed into a pellet. The pellet was coated with carbon and analyzed using X-ray emission and backscattering. The elemental X-rays of P, S, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Co, Zn, Mo, Ca and Se emitted were quantified to obtain the respective concentrations. Biochemical chemistry analyses were performed on each serum sample of each animal. The biochemical parameters tested for were total protein, albumin, globulin, total bilirubin, lactate dehydrogenase, blood urea nitrogen, uric acid, total cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, creatine phosphokinase and creatinine.

Magister Scientiae (Medical Bioscience) - MSc(MBS) / The blood brain barrier (BBB) is a signaling interface between the blood and the central nervous system (CNS), which prohibits the entry of harmful blood-borne substances into the brain micro-environment, thus maintaining brain homeostasis. The crucial role of the BBB is protecting the CNS, which may adversely be affected by alcohol. The central component of the BBB, endothelial cells (ECs), regulates BBB transport by regulating the permeability both transcellularly and through their paracellular junctions, by structures called tight junctions (TJs) that are composed of proteins. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro effects of ethanol (EtOH) and fermented rooibos (Rf) on a monolayer of bEnd5 mouse brain ECs, by determining the effects of EtOH and Rf on bEnd5 (i) cell viability (ii) cell proliferation (iii) rate of cell division (iv) cell toxicity (v) claudin-5 transcription (vi) permeability across a monolayer of bEnd5 ECs and (vii) morphology, for a selected experimental timeline of 24, 48, 72, and 96hrs. We then investigated if the simultaneous exposure of Rf and EtOH could reverse or alleviate the EtOHinduced effects on the bEnd5 ECs. EtOH metabolism induces oxidative stress and results in a range of adverse physiological effects. Aspathalus linearis (rooibos) contains many phenolic compounds, of which the main antioxidant activity is attributed to aspalathin. Our underlining hypothesis is that the antioxidants in an aqueous rooibos extract may therefore protect against the potential oxidant damaging effects of alcohol on the BBB. Cells were exposed for 24hrs to selected concentrations of EtOH (25mM and 100mM), a concentration of Rf containing equivalent of 1.9nM aspalathin, and the combinations of EtOH and Rf. Cell viability and cell toxicity was determined, while cell proliferation and rate of cell division was estimated using the trypan blue exclusion assay. Real time quantitative PCR was implemented to quantify claudin-5 transcription, normalized against housekeeping genes, GAPDH and HPRT. Transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) was measured using the Ohm Millicell-electrical resistance system, while bEnd5 monolayer morphology was analysed using the Zeiss scanning electron microscope. Both concentrations of EtOH led to an overall decrease in cell viability, and a decreased number of live cells across 72hrs. Consistent with this, EtOH resulted in increased cell toxicity across the 96hr experimental timeframe and a diminished rate of cell division. The transcription of claudin-5 in bEnd5 ECs exposed to 25mM and 100mM EtOH varied dramatically across the 96hr timeframe. While 25mM EtOH resulted in an overall decrease in TEER, cells exposed to 100mM EtOH only decreased TEER between 48 and 96hrs. Morphologically, both concentrations of EtOH led to compromised paracellular spaces as endorsed by high definition SEM analysis. The administration of Rf on its own resulted in an initial decrease in viability, followed by recovery between 72 and 96hrs. Exposure to Rf diminished live cell numbers at 72 and 96hrs, accompanied by a compromised rate of cell division and an overall increase in cell toxicity. In addition, Rf down-regulated claudin-5 transcription across the course of the experiment, particularly between 24 and 48hrs. In alignment with this, Rf also led to an increase in BBB permeability from 24 to 96hrs. However, SEM studies were not able to discriminate any differences between control and Rf treated cells. Our study showed that the BBB could be protected against the adverse effects of EtOH, and this at the plasma concentration induced by 500ml’s of Rooibos tea. The simultaneous exposure of Rf and EtOH was able to negate the effects of EtOH on cell viability, cell proliferation, and cell toxicity but exacerbated the effects of EtOH on claudin-5 transcription and paracellular permeability. Morphologically, co-exposure with Rf only reversed the effects of 25mM EtOH while exacerbating the effects of 100mM EtOH at 96hrs. In conclusion, EtOH was shown to be detrimental to the integrity of bEnd5 ECs, and the addition of a minuscule quantity of t h e Rf extract was able to partially alleviate excess ROS-induced effects. / National Research Foundation (NRF)

Market demand for the fynbos-derived honeybush (Cyclopia spp.) tea is on the rise, and there is an urgent need for better conservation of wild Cyclopia populations and for a shift to sustainable cultivation. Rooibos is another popular fynbos product that underwent exponential market growth over the last two decades but this resulted in large-scale conversion of pristine mountain fynbos to intensively-used crop lands. Adopting a conservation agriculture approach in expanding indigenous products will help in conserving biodiversity and ecosystem processes in this global biodiversity hotspot. Conservation agriculture of indigenous fynbos products grown in the Cape Floristic Region (CFR) should follow five main principles in order to maximise biodiversity conservation alongside agriculture. These principles are: 1) maintain high diversity at all levels, 2) conserve soil structure and processes, 3) conserve and restore natural ecosystem processes, 4) promote ecosystem stability and self-perpetuation, and 5) maintain natural areas as sources of ecosystem components. Given the negative ecological consequences of the industrialisation of the rooibos industry, it would be in the interest of biodiversity conservation, and even of agriculture, to apply these principles to honeybush cultivation. In order to prevent further fynbos habitat loss, cultivation of honeybush could be catalysed on old fields rather than in ploughed or cleared fynbos. Here I compare germination, growth and survival of two species (Cyclopia intermedia E.Mey. and C. subternata Vogel) between different land use types (ploughed lands, old fields and intact fynbos) and treatments (cleared and uncleared) in the Langkloof, Eastern Cape, over one year. Plots of each land use type were subject to each of these two treatments, although the ploughed plot constituted only a cleared treatment. Growth was highest on ploughed land, while survival and growth were lowest in uncleared fynbos. Cleared fynbos had the lowest germination success in both species, with the other sites and treatments coming out roughly the same. These results show that although ploughed lands give highest yields, growth and survival on old fields without ploughing is comparable with that on ploughed lands and is therefore a feasible alternative. Understanding the recruitment dynamics of honeybush is imperative for adequate conservation of wild populations. Furthermore, understanding this ecological aspect of the genus will help in developing the honeybush industry as a sustainable, agroecological market that uses semi-natural populations for production. Although Cyclopia species are early-successional species that germinate after fire, recruitment of Cyclopia pubescens Eckl. & Zeyh. continues throughout the inter-fire period. Cyclopia pubescens populations near Port Elizabeth were described according to their age structure and plant densities to discern possible density-dependent recruitment effects. Results showed that dense stands for the most part do not support high post-fire recruitment. This gives insight into suitable planting densities for new or restore populations and into management guidelines for remnant populations of threatened species. This thesis highlights important issues facing the honeybush industry. Mainstreaming biodiversity conservation into honeybush production is achievable, given that the industry is still relatively young, but this will require further research and strong market leadership.

Cyclopia intermedia E. Mey is harvested from the wild to produce honeybush tea. The presence of a lignotuber and its slow growth seems to hinder the cultivation of this species and wild harvesting is likely to continue. Species distribution modelling indicated that C. intermedia has a climate envelope that spans from the Eastern Cape to the Western Cape along the Cape Fold mountains. This regional distribution is threatened under future climate change scenarios with a range loss and shift identified for climate conditions predicted for 2050. More specifically, its niche was identified as south-facing slopes with sandy to loamy sand soils and water holding capacity that is higher than the surrounding areas. Some keystone Fynbos species were found to share this niche: Leucadendron salignum, Leucospermum cuneiforme, Protea neriifolia, Protea repens, Elegia filacea and Rhodocoma fruticosa. Cyclopia intermedia grows throughout the summer with flowering buds developing in autumn. These enlarge during winter with the flowers opening in early spring. Pods develop in November and seed set occurs during December. Harvesting plants increases their fecundity with cut plants producing more than twice the number of pods and seeds compared to their non-harvested counterparts. This is because resprouting plants produce more flowering stems than uncut plants. Controlled harvesting or localised short-cycle burning could be considered as a management option to improve fecundity of declining Cyclopia intermedia populations in protected areas. C. intermedia harvesting could occur every third year and stem colour was identified as a measure of harvest maturity. Where at least 30 percent of the population has orange (RHS colour 163A) stems the population is suitable for harvesting.

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) is endemic to the Cederberg region of South Africa, and one of the few indigenous medicinal plants commercially cultivated in the country. International interest in rooibos is growing, and currently most of the rooibos harvest is exported overseas to more than 30 countries. Various problems hamper the growth of the rooibos industry, including insect pests, diseases, drought and a decreasing lifespan of the plants. The availability of whole-genome data for rooibos can contribute to the selection of genetically superior plants, facilitating not only the identification of important genes and metabolic pathways in rooibos, but also the establishment of breeding programs.