The consumption of indigenous leafy vegetables is a significant tradition and culture of South Africa. The purpose of this research was to investigate the access and consumption of indigenous leafy vegetables in rural and informal settlements of the West Coast District Municipality (WCDM), Western Cape, South Africa. The research identified ILV being available and accessible in WCDM, methods of preparation used as well as the factors influencing the consumption of ILV. A cross sectional descriptive survey design was used and data collection was done using a structured questionnaire. Respondents were randomly selected from the five local municipalities in the West Coast District Municipality. A total of 205 respondents representing 205 households in the rural and informal settlements of the West Coast District Municipality were interviewed. Majority of respondents were black females, unemployed and had no formal qualification. Seventeen indigenous leafy vegetables were identified in the West Coast District and the majority of the respondents consumed indigenous leafy vegetables as part of their diet mainly because of the health benefits and taste. Four methods of cooking, namely stewing, boiling, steaming and frying were used by the respondents to prepare indigenous leafy vegetables and most of the respondents added additional ingredients during cooking such as mealie meal, fish oil and salt. The informal sector was identified as the major source of indigenous leafy vegetables and cultivation of ILV was very limited. The majority of the respondents consumed ILV at least once a week. Preservation of ILV was not a common practice. Factors such as employment status, higher household size and higher income levels did not influence the frequency of ILV consumption. / Life and Consumer Sciences / M. Sc. (Consumer Science)

No description available.

The presented diploma thesis deals with the analysis and production of selected microbial metabolites of the yeast Rhodotorula kratochvilovae in comparison to various species of microalgae. The theoretical part summarizes the knowledge about the conditions for optimal growth and production of secondary metabolites. Analytical methods, by which metabolites were quantified and evaluated, were also described. In the experimental part of this thesis, the amount of accumulated biomass, exoglycolipids, intracellular lipids, phycobiliproteins and carotenoids according to various nutrient sources in the culture medium was studied. Specifically, the yields of these metabolites were investigated in the utilization of various sources of nitrogen (yeast extract, urea, ammonium sulfate, ammonium chloride and potassium nitrate), carbon (glucose, mannose, xylose, glycerol and lactose) and at variable C / N ratios (20; 40; 70; 100 and 120: 1) ideally selected sources of observed nutrients in partial experiments. The last part of the experiment was focused on comparison of the analysis of metabolites of autotrophic algae (chlorophylls, phycobiliproteins and lipids).

This master`s thesis is focused on possibility of use of flue gas as source of CO2 for algae cultivation in bioreactors. The first part of the master`s thesis is devoted to a qualitative and quantitative description of flue gas sources as CO2 source for algae cultivation. In the thesis industry sectors with the largest share of CO2 emissions on a global scale and in the Czech republic are summarized. On the basis of these data it was possible to determine cheap sources of CO2 for algae cultivation producing valuable biomass and other bio-products. The composition of flue gas from these sources was discussed in this section also with given expected outlook within the following years. The next part of the thesis is devoted to the influence of flue gas properties on algae cultivation. The impact of flue gas individual parameters on cell growth rate, quality and composition of biomass is described there. The description and design of the bioreactor is processed in the next part of the thesis. The experimental part of the thesis was performed on a bioreactor with similar properties. The next part of the thesis describes the effect of light on algae cultivation and the design of a regulation scheme for bioreactor light source. The experimental part of the thesis describes methods used to determine the concentrations of flue gas substances that could pass from flue gas into cultivation medium for algae cultivation to measure the changing composition of the flue gas in the closed experimental bioreactor system. The processed data from experimental measurements are presented and are discussed. The change in the composition of the culture medium for algae (without the presence of algae) due to flue gas aeration was monitored in the experimental part. It includes also the measurement of the change in the composition of the flue gas in time. All obtained and collected information are then summarized and discussed in the final part of the master`s thesis.

Filamentösa svampar används inom många biotekniska områden. Svamparnas biomassa kan användas till föda eller djurfoder, medan biprodukter som svampar producerar kan användas inom områden som industri samt medicin. Kultiveringen av Neurospora intermedia och Aspergillius oryzae genomförs på smör, raps och frityrolja i detta arbete för att få en större förståelse för hur svamparna kan växa på olika lipider samt skillnaden som kan uppstå mellan olika arter av filamentösa svampar. Under arbetes studeras biomassakoncentration, proteinhalt samt pH. Även problem som att svamparna kan lagra lipider i cellerna och att det kan påverka resultaten genom en ökning av biomassakoncentrationen diskuteras.  Kultiveringarna genomfördes i Erlenmeyerflaskor med 20 g/L lipid samt saltblandning för att bestå med nödvändiga näringsämnen. För A.oryzae genomförs även kultivering i en airliftbioreaktor för att förstå hur svampen beter sig i större skala. Högst koncentrationen torrbiomassa som erhålls ifrån Erlenmeyerflaskorna är 18,49±1,90 g/L för A.oryzae samt17,31±1,14 g/L för N.intermedia med en proteinhalt för torr biomassa upp till ca 14%.Utbytetmellan torr biomassa och lipid som tillsatts i kultiveringen hamnade på 94,00%±0,06%(rapsolja) för A.oryzae samt 81,69%±0,007% (frityrolja) för N.intermedia. De höga utbytena kan förklaras med att svamparna kan lagra lipider i cellerna vilket även ger de höga koncentrationen av torr biomassa. För att förstå morfologin, lipidhalt i biomassan samt pH beteende behövs mer arbete utföras med ändring av parametrar som pH justeringar, temperatur, luftflöde samt analys av biomassan för att utreda hur mycket lipider som lagras. / Filamentous fungi are used in many different biotechnological fields. The fungal biomass can be used for food or feed, while by-products that the fungi produce can be used in different industries or medical applications. The cultivations of Neurospora intermedia and Aspergillius oryzae implemented on butter, rapeseed and frying oil that is used in this work is for the larger understanding of how the fungi can grow on different lipids and the difference between species of fungi. Biomass concentration, protein content and pH are the main focus during this work, but problems like lipids storage in the biomass that can affect the results by increase of the total biomass concentration is discussed. The cultivations were implemented in Erlenmeyerflasks with 20 g/L lipid with added saltsolution with necessary nutrients. For A.oryzae cultivation in an airlift bioreactor was carried out for the understanding of larger scale cultivation. Highest concentration of dry biomass obtained from Erlenmeyerflasks are 18,49±1,90 g/L for A.oryzae and 17,31±1,14 g/L for N.intermedia with protein content for dry biomass up to 14%.The yield for dry biomass perlipid added during the cultivation ended at 94,00%±0,06% (rapeseed oil) for A.oryzae and 381,69%±0,007% (frying oil) for N.intermedia. During cultivation the cells can store lipids and that explains the high yields and biomass concentrations. For the understanding of morphology, the amount of lipids in the biomass and pH behaviour needs more work that includes changes of parameters like pH adjustment, temperature, airflow and analysis of the biomass for lipid content.

As part of a project designed to utilize common dairy waste products profitably, reconstituted dry whey permeate and delactosed whey were tested as growth substrates for mycelia of the edible mushroom Lentinus edodes. This mushroom was chosen because it is possible to profitably cultivate it due to its popular culinary appeal and perceived medical benefits. Growth experiments were performed in petri dishes containing either reconstituted dry whey permeate or delactosed whey as a growth substrate, and the measured response was the size of the growing mycelia colony. When reconstituted dry whey permeate was utilized as a growth substrate, the factors of substrate concentration, pH, and growth temperature were controlled in an effort to determine the optimal growth conditions for the mushroom mycelia. These conditions were determined by applying an analytical method known as response surface methodology (RSM). RSM is a collection of mathematical techniques that is able to determine optimal values for many variables run simultaneously in an experiment. Mycelia were also grown on delactosed whey at different substrate concentrations in an effort to determine if this substrate would be suitable for the growth of mushroom mycelia. Results: RSM was successfully utilized to determine the optimal growth conditions for L. edodes when grown on reconstituted dry whey powder. These conditions were 40 g/L substrate concentration, pH 4 .97, and temperature 23.6°C Delactosed whey was successfully utilized as a growth substrate for L. edodes. However, delactosed whey concentrations above 40% v/v were lethal to the mushroom mycelia, suggesting a possible use for delactosed whey as a fungicide.

The USA is the third major world producer of peaches but consumption has decreased over the last two decades. Consumers have cited mealy texture, fruit browning and lack of sweetness as some undesirable characteristics in peaches, which may be related to the decline. The focus of this study was to evaluate the effect of farm management practices on fruit quality. Physical parameters (color, firmness and size), volatiles and metabolite data was collected.Sensory evaluation indicated transitional organic peaches were liked the best and organically grown peaches were least liked. All the treatments were significantly different from each other and consumers preferred the aroma of conventionally grown peaches. Firmness and sugar content of the treatments were not different from each other. The total phenolic content was found to be significantly higher in transitional organic and organic peaches compared to conventional peaches. Transitional organic peaches were more liked and organic were least liked, but the nutritional values in organic peaches can be the point of interest for the consumers.

This research examined cover blurbs on popular men’s and women’s magazines and the messages they communicate to their readers about women. The content analysis looked at the covers of Esquire, Gentlemen’s Quarterly, Vogue, and Good Housekeeping from 1999 through 2003 to see what these magazines were cultivating and framing through their cover text during the time surrounding the new millennium. The women’s magazines examined promoted gendered messages, messages encouraging an idealistic or unattainable ideal of women, to their readers more so than the men’s magazines researched. There also appeared to be an increase of gendered messages in the men’s and women’s magazine sample as a whole from 1999 through 2003. In order to counteract these findings and for progress to be made during the current millennium, individuals working within the communication field must realize the power of the written word and make efforts to discourage the presentation of gendered messages.

While picture books are often viewed as educational resources for young readers, it is crucial to not overlook the images and content this literary medium contains. Research suggests that repetitive messages encompassing a stereotypical nature cultivate lasting impressions on young audiences. One portrayal often associated with negative implications is the depictions of older characters in children's first literature. This investigation analyzed a selection of picture books from the New York Times best sellers list, the Book Sense best sellers list, and the Caldecott award winners for the years 2000–2010. In an attempt to provide a time spectrum communicating the levels of ageism that remain prevalent within the last decade, over 700 illustrated literary works were included in this exploration. Although conclusions supported a continuation of the under-representation of senior adults that is congruent to similar studies, findings suggested a significant improvement in the overall portrayal of older characters in illustrated books. This result communicates an optimistic outlook in continuing the promotion of positive attitudes for children regarding the aging process.

The Great Basin is North America's largest desert, encompassing 135 million acres. Grazing and other anthropogenic activities in the Great Basin have put heavy demands on the landscape over the last 150 years. Heavily grazed areas lack diversity which allows the spread of exotic weed species. Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L [Poaceae]) has invaded and shortened fire frequency intervals from historic 30—100 years to as few as three to five years. Post-fire reseeding of native species is requisite for restoration of highly invaded ecosystems thus, preventing complete conversion to exotic weeds. Most native shrubs and grasses are available for restoration projects, but native forbs are largely unavailable or expensive. This situation led to the creation of The Great Basin Native Plant Selection and Increase Project (GBNPSIP). In 2000 this project was initiated as a joint effort between the Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service Research, and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources in an effort to make native seed more available and less expensive for landscape scale restoration projects. To meet restoration goals the GBNPSIP project promotes cultivation of native species to increase seed supplies. This research focuses on overcoming seed dormancy issues that have hindered cultivation through scarification and evaluating germination, establishment, and seed production in a cultural setting of four lupine species: hairy big leaf lupine, (Lupinus prunophilus M.E. Jones [Fabaceae]); silky lupine, (L. sericeus Pursh); silvery lupine, (L. argenteus Pursh); and longspur lupine, (L. arbustus Dougl. ex Lind) five scarification treatments were evaluated sulphuric acid and mechanical treatments significantly improved germination on three of the four species tested. All other treatments were unpredictable and not significant. No treatments significantly improved germination of L. arbustus and three of the five treatments significantly decreased seed germination from the control. Results demonstrate that scarification method, and exposure interval, differ in effectively increasing % germination among species. Germination, establishment, and seed production were evaluated using two planting methods for each species. Broadcast plots (covered) were covered with N-Sulate fabric™ and 5 cm (2 in) of sawdust. Control plots (uncovered) were drilled and left untreated. Germination was significantly improved for all four lupine species under treatment conditions. Lupinus prunophilus and L. sericeus exhibited the greatest improvement in germination when covered. Germination of L. argenteus and L. arbustus were also significantly improved (p<0.0001 and p=0.004, respectively) by the covered treatment. Higher germination in the covered treatment was mirrored in establishment for every species except L. arbustus. There is an advantage of using the covered treatment, but low yields make cultivation unprofitable.