Research

Enzyme-assisted extraction and bioprocessing of seaweed bio-products   

The focus of my research group (Enzyme Science Programme-ESP) lies in enzymes, enzyme biocatalysis, enzyme technology, and biotechnology.  My research laboratory is one of five recently established national Nodes of the DSI-TIA-CSIR Industrial Biocatalysis Hub (IBH) at South African universities, which aims to generate commercially viable products (bioproducts) with the help of industrial partners.

Seaweeds such as Ecklonia spp. (a kelp) and Gelidium spp. (a red seaweed) have traditionally been known to be excellent biostimulants for plant growth in agriculture- or provide rich sources of alginate and agar for industry. Nutraceuticals and biopharmaceuticals can also be harvested from kelp and are rapidly gaining recognition and popularity for their anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, anti-cancer, anti-viral, anti-microbial and other bioactivities.

The title of our current IBH project is “Enzyme-assisted extraction and bioprocessing of kelp bio-products”. This study involves using enzymes to extract and produce anti-diabetic or anti-obesity bioactive compounds from brown seaweed (e.g. Ecklonia spp.). Kelp-derived bioactives such as sulphated polysaccharides (fucoidans), alginates, phenolic compounds (phlorotannins), and carotenoids (fucoxanthins) inhibit key enzymes of human starch and fat metabolism (α-amylase, α-glucosidase, pancreatic lipase and dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 (DPP4)), allowing for the directed development of nutraceuticals with natural anti-diabetic and anti-obesity, as well as anti-cancer properties. 

In our scientific approach, we make use of several cutting-edge techniques in biochemistry, chemistry, microbiology, and cell biology.

Last Modified: Thu, 06 Jun 2024 10:20:53 SAST