Browsing by Author "Mbongwa, Hlengiwe Prosperity."

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A comparative assessment of local, commercial and homemade amahewu with respect to nutritional value, hygiene, and other health benefits to the community.
(2003) Mbongwa, Hlengiwe Prosperity.; Gqaleni, Nceba.
Fermentation is a process by which primary food products are modified biochemically by the action of microorganisms and/or their enzymes. Several societies have, over the years, intentionally carried it out to enhance the taste, aroma, shelf-life, texture, nutritional value and other properties of food. It is used in many parts (lithe world. However, there are regional differences in use and these depend on the availability of raw materials, consumption habits. and other socio-cultural factors. This study was aimed at (comparatively) assessing, local commercial and homemade amahewu with respect to nutritional value, hygiene and other health benefits to the commirn ity. Methods employed were Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) (mycotoxins), High Perliffmance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) (mycotoxins, sugars and amino acids), Dumas (proteins), SOxhlet (lipids) and intubation technique (metabolisable energy) to analyse maize meal and amahewu samples from various regions. The regions sampled included mal3heleni (South Coast) and kwaNgcolosi (North Coast) villages. Commercial amahewu was analysed with kind permission from Clover SA. Species from the following genera were isolated and identified from amahewu samples: Lactobacillus, Saccharonivccs, Lcuconostoc, Lactococcus, Panioca, Entcrobacter and kleb•iella. Saccharotnyces was detected in commercial samples only. Gram-negative strains were identified in most of manheleni village samples. No traceable amounts of aflatoxin BI (AFB1), fumonisin B 1 (FBI) and zearalenone (ZEA) were found in Clover SA samples. AFB I was detected in 40% of both maize meal and amahewu samples from maBheleni (range 0.55 — 0.84ng/g and 8.3x10 5 — 9.1x10-5ng/g respectively). From the same village, 100% of the maize meal and 80% of the amahewu samples were contaminated with FBI (range 4.1 47.2ng/g and 1.4 ---- 6.9ng/g respectively). ZEA was detected in all maize meal samples (range 0.9 — 4.3ng/g). None of the amahewu samples contained detectable levels of ZEA. All maize meal and amahewu samples from kwaNgcolosi were contaminated with AF13 1 (range 8.3 — 30.I ng/g and 0.04 - 0.102ng/g respectively). FB I was detected in 75% of both maize meal and amahewu samples from the same village (range 0.5 — 4.1ng/g and 0.04 0.56ng/g respectively). ZEA was also found in all maize meal samples and 75% of amahewu samples (range 3.7 — 16.4ng/g and 0.03 -- 0.06ng/g respectively). MaBheleni, Clover SA and kwaNgcolosi maize meal and amahewu samples contained vitamins B1, 13 2 and B6 with a range of 0.31+0.21 - 4.48±0.81 B 1 ; 0.15±0.14 - 1.67±0.33 B2 and 0.05±0.07 - 0.77±1.45 lig/g B6. Fat levels ranged from 0.28±0.40 to 4.54±0.05 percentage by weight. The levels of proteins varied from 4.02±0.02 to 8.40±0.04 percentage by weight. Starch concentrations ranged from 31.51.5.28 to 75.911.92g/100g. Maize meal samples contained glucose and maltose, while glucose, fructose, sucrose, maltose, M-triose, DP 4 and 5 and DP >15 were detected in amahewu. Apparent and true metabolisable energy for homemade and commercial Freeze-dried amahewu was 13.194 and 13.696MJ/kg (AME N ); and 13.605 and 14.106M.Ekv ( 1 MEN ), respectively. This study has shown that lactic acid maize fermentation reduce' the levels of AF13 1 , FB I and ZEA toxins in maize meal, inhibits the growth of most Gram-negative bacteria, and in some instances, fermentation did improve the nutritional value. Metabolisable energy analysis represents an important tool to assess whether or not compounds ingested are converted to sources of energy in the body and utilised. Amahewu fermentation yielded beneficial products (probiotics: reduced mycotoxins levels and reduced starch). In conclusion, natural lactic acid maize fermentation to produce amahewu will do more good than harm to the consumer, therefore, people need to be advised on how to safely store their maize and also to be encouraged to consume their stored maize in fermented form.
The cytotoxic effects, anti-iflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, and antidiabetic properties of eight selected South African plants for medicinal purposes.
(2020) Nkala, Bongani Alphouse.; Mbongwa, Hlengiwe Prosperity.; Qwebani-Ogunleye, Tozama.
People from the Southern African region have been using the fauna and flora of the region in their homes for millennia to treat all sorts of ailments and complaints with great success. This knowledge transfer was done through ’apprenticeships’ and oral communication. Certain communities consider medicinal plants to be safer than drugs and that they can treat more than one ailment. This study investigated cytotoxic effect, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antidiabetic properties of eight selected South African plants for medicinal purposes. Plant species were collected from the Walter Sisulu National Botanical-Gardens and were extracted with 90% methanol (1 g/10 ml) and concentrate to 10 mg/ml. Antimicrobial activities were determined by the microplate dilution method to establish the ability of the plant extracts to inhibit or kill pathogenic organisms with minimal inhibitory concentrations and minimum bactericidal concentration. Cytotoxicity effects were determined with Alamar blue and crystal violet cell viability assays, against C2C12 and RAW 264.7 cells. Anti-inflammatory effects were identified with stimulated lipopolysaccharide RAW 264.7 cells, and nitric oxide inhibition was measured with Griess reagent assay. The estimation of preliminary phytochemical, antioxidant (DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging), and alpha-amylase inhibition were determined with standard methods. The plant extracts inhibition and bactericidal effects were observed against all bacteria, namely: Lippia javanica (0.25±0.00 to 1.13±0.29 mg/ml); Ziziphus mucronata leaf (0.44±0.00 to 1.00±0.00 mg/ml); Erythrina lysistemon (0.44±0.00 to 1.08±0.00 mg/ml) and Schkuhria pinnata (0.5±0.00 to 1.34±0.00 mg/ml). All plant extracts exhibited flavonoids, phenols, terpenoids, and coumarins. The antioxidant inhibition was observed above 80% for Schkuhria pinnata, Lippia javanica, Clerodendrum myricoides, and Erythrina lysistemon. Also, these plant species exhibited an alpha-amylase inhibitory effect of 80%. The IC50 values were > 1000 μg/ml. All plant extracts demonstrated some degree of an antiinflammatory effect. However, Clerondendrum myricoides (35% - 89%), Lippia javanica (26% - 77%), Erythrina lysistemon (23% - 76%), Schkuhria pinnata (27% - 65%), and Vernonia oligocephala (16% - 58%) with IC50 value >1000 μg/ml, exhibited a marked antiinflammatory effect. Therefore, the presence of phenolic, flavonoids, anti-inflammatory, antioxidants, and α-amylase properties are potential solutions towards the management of diabetes and other chronic inflammatory diseases. Keywords: medicinal plants, antimicrobial, cytotoxicity, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antioxidant.
Investigating Genetic Predisposition to Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Among Black Women Residing eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
(2023) Moloi, Angeline Nozipho.; Xulu, Khethelo Richman.; Mbongwa, Hlengiwe Prosperity.; Ghai, Meenu.
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is regarded as a “silent killer” determined by an abnormal glucose tolerance firstly recognised at any time during pregnancy and disappear after delivery. Carrying a large baby (>4000g), being obese (BMI: .>40kg), HIV positive and multiple pregnancy may increase the risk of postpartum haemorrhage (Hadley et al., 2021). Postpartum haemorrhage is a leading cause of maternal death , affecting 75% of maternal death worldwide (Maternal Mortality, Who Fact sheet, February 2023). Women previously diagnosed with GDM are at higher risk of subsequent type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and development of GDM in the early gestational week of pregnancy. Babies born from GDM mothers may develop T2DM, and GDM (Farahvar et al., 2019) and become obese or overweight in their young and adolescence life ( Egeland & Meltzer, 2010; Lowe at al., 2019; Martinez-Cruz et al., 2021). Previous studies have shown that genetic polymorphisms, obesity /overweight, and environmental risk factors may predispose women to GDM. However, the data in KwaZulu-Natal is limited. Furthermore, screening of GDM in women previously diagnosed with GDM has become compulsory every third year to help those mothers who may have pre-existing DM during pregnancy. Therefore, in this study, we selected black African women previously diagnosed with GDM and aimed to determine the prevalence rate and associated risk factors of GDMin the eThekwini district. Again, we investigated the association between SNP genotypes (MTNR1B rs1387153, PPARα rs4253778, and TCF7L2 rs12255372) and the development of GDM and obesity. Methods Firstly, primary data- the self-data report (a well-structured questionnaire) was performed to determine the GDM prevalence amongst black SA women living eThekwini district. Pregnant and non-pregnant women were randomly recruited from three local health district facilities: KwaMashu CHC, KwaDabeka CHC, and KEVIII Tertiary hospital in KwaZulu-Natal. This study used 87 black South African women with GDM history which included experimental group (twenty-five women with GDM) and control group (sixty-two women without GDM); aged 15- 45 years of age, residing in eThekwini district and, attending clinics from the first to the third trimester of pregnancy. The GDM confirmation was performed by the relevant antenatal care clinic on women with GDM, using a standard procedure of 2hr- 75g OGTT as per the Guideline xvi for maternity Care in SA, (2016:98). Blood samples between 2-4ml were collected from each participant into vacutainer EDTA tube (BD Diagnostic, SA) for molecular analysis. The blood samples were collected for DNA extraction to perform the genetic polymorphisms’ investigation and GDM and quantitative metabolic traits in pregnant and non-pregnant women within eThekwini district and its impacts on maternal health. The secondary data was obtained from the healthcare registry system for the pregnant women in the antenatal care clinic. The aim was to measure the initial maternal data of antenatal visits and compare those data with the existing data during the research collection. Secondly, the data was analysed using R. Statistical Computing Software of the R. core Team, 2020, version 3.6.3. Women with a previous diagnosis of GDM were regarded as current GDM and analysed as dependent variables and risk factors as independent predictive variables. Thirdly, BMI was measured as kg/m2, and the following genetic variants: MTNR1B (rs1387153), PPARα (rs4253778), and TCF7L2 (rs12255372) were genotyped for each participant using the PCR-RFLP technique. Sanger Sequencing confirmed results at Central Analytical Facilities (CAF), Stellenbosch University, SA. All results of p-value <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results Approximately 25 women reported GDM, and sixty two had no GDM. GDM prevalence rate is estimated at 28.7 %. GDM was significantly associated with older age above 36 years (p˂0.05), family history of diabetes mellitus (p˂0.05), women with 1 or 2 children (p<0.01), pre-existing diabetes mellitus (p<0.01). BMI (≥25 kg/m2) odds ratio: 6.9; 95%CI; 1.35-5.48; p=0.03, ARV treatment (OR: 3.3 95%CI: 1.10-11.310; p=0.010), and pre-existing DM (OR: 0.23; 95CI: 0.07- 0.71; p=0.014) remained risk factors for GDM. All pregnant women with and without GDM had a homozygous G-allele of TCF7L2 rs12255372. Genetic polymorphism C-allele of MTNR1B (rs1387153) and PPARα (rs4253778) were not associated with the risk of GDM and obesity (p>0.05). After the combination of three SNPs profiles (rs1387153, rs12255372, 4253778), genotype CC (rs4253778), CC (rs1387153), and GG (rs12255372) were significantly higher in the pregnant women without gestational diabetes mellitus and obese participants (p<0.05). Conclusion The GDM prevalence rate was 28.7%, and associated risk factors were as follows: age, parity, pre-existing DM, and family history of diabetes mellitus. ARV treatment, pre-existing DM, and overweight were independent risk factors of GDM. In this study G homozygous of TCF7L2 xvii rs12255372 was a genetic marker in the population of black SA women in eThekwini, KwaZulu- Natal. Women with CC and GG genotype are at high risk of developing GDM and obesity. This study shows that SNP genotypes CC MTNR1B rs1387153, PPARα rs4253778 CC genotype, and GG genotype of TCF7L2 rs12255372 are susceptible to women developing obesity.
The use of complementary and alternative medicine by staff and students of UKZN residing in eThekwini Municipality.
(2019) Mbongwa, Hlengiwe Prosperity.; Mutambara, Emmanuel.
Healthcare can systematically be separated into current (conventional, orthodox, Western or allopathic) and traditional (indigenous, reciprocal, elective or integrative). The former is plainly characterised, with minor provincial varieties in its fundamental way of thinking and clinical techniques. In present day treatment, improvement on medicinal products is accomplished through scientific research, which can include worldwide joint effort and responsibility. Such research is all around bolstered monetarily by industry, governments and altruistic associations. This is in sharp contrast to the circumstance with traditional complementary and alternative medicine. CAM is a class of medication that incorporates an assortment of treatment approaches that fall outside the domain of conventional prescription. An expanding measure of research is being done to build up the proof and viability of alternative medication. Even with limited proof of safety, CAM use remains popular worldwide. This study therefore seeked to find out CAM use between staff and students of UKZN Durban campuses. This was a campus-based quantitative cross-sectional survey involving adult individuals. Data on the demographic characteristics of the participants, the reasons for CAM use, monthly expenditure on CAM, personal beliefs on CAM use were collected. In total, 229 participants were included in the study, and among them, approximately 42% were aged 21–30 years. Additionally, 69% of the participants were women, over 73% were of Black ethnic group, over 58% reside in a suburbs setting. There was correlation between the reasons for CAM use namely to treat/manage a condition or promote health and gender, where it was statistically significant at p< 0.001 level. However, no statistical evidence could be shown that there was dependence between using CAM and race/ethnic group. Highest education attained and the reasons for using CAM practices and products showed a significant correlation (p<0.001). Some of the cultural and religious influences were statistically significant (p<0.05) influencers to our participants for their healthcare practices. In conclusion, the use of CAM was quite significant in the study population, and the most used therapy was exercise which was followed by vitamins and minerals. Larger numbers of participants in future will help solidify or negate these findings.