Research Publications (Applied Sciences)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://ir-dev.dut.ac.za/handle/10321/213

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Determining nutritional status and food intake patterns of pre-school children in Empangeni, South Africa
(AJHTL, 2016) Mwadiwa, R.J.; Kearney, J.E.; Napier, Carin E.
The major goal of the assessment was to establish the prevalence of child malnutrition in two sampled pre-schools, in order to determine the resources and approaches required for an appropriate response to the concern, and with a view to finding sustainable solutions. The means of anthropometric measurement tools concurrently with socio-demographic and food frequency questionnaires were applied in conducting the survey to evaluate the food intake patterns of the 1-3 year old pre-school children. The cross-examination of the pre-school cycle menus was analysed. The combined results of the tools applied in data collection were also used to classify nutrient deficiencies of the sample group as well as detecting specific dietary requirements comparing with the World Health Organisation’s standards. The findings of the assessment showed that malnutrition was prevalent among the 1-3 year olds in the sampled pre-schools and that these conditions resulted from persistent household and pre-school food insecurity in quantity, quality and diversity. The food intake patterns were inconsistent as in some instances children consumed either high or low intakes of macro or micro nutrients and that consumption habits were incompatible with required nutrient RDAs per child. The ultimate objective of the assessment was to form the core for implementing a more in-depth experimental study aimed at scientifically developing novel food products out of integrating traditional and modern processed foods. The researcher’s primary objective is to improve the pre-school feeding menus in the hope of adding value to the nutritional status of the target population.
Energy and daylighting performances of highly glazed buildings
(Building Simulation, 2015-12) Singh, Ramkishore; Lazarus, Ian Joseph
Glazed façades create indoor environment more attractive and pleasant but also let high solar and thermal gains in the buildings that lead to energy inefficiency. Hence, more attention needs to be given to the glazed component to improve the buildings’ energy performance and indoor visual comfort. This study aims to provide insightful on the suitable selection of the glazed components for the office buildings. In this study, a number of simulations were performed, using EnergyPlus, for the office rooms with one and two exposure wall(s) in two different climates. Results were analysed and presented in terms of the energy demands for heating, cooling, fans and lightings and daylighting performance considering useful daylight illuminance (UDI) and discomfort glare.
Impact of Building and Refrigeration System’s Parameters on Energy Consumption in the Potato Cold Storage
(The Canadian Center of Science and Education, 2014) Singh, Ramkishore; Lazarus, Ian Joseph; Singh, S. P.
Cold storage is a key element for long term preservation and distribution of perishable items. A large quantity of perishable items is gone wastage every year due to inadequate storage facility in the countries like India. Their energy extensive refrigeration process makes them accountable for substantial share of total energy consumption in the country. Moreover, energy inefficiency in operation and building designs in the existing cold storages inhibits expansion of desirable storage facility. This study aims to explore the building and refrigeration system’s parameters that may influence the overall energy consumption in the storage. A survey was conducted in ten Indian potato cold storages and detail data of their energy consumption, building construction and refrigeration systems was collected. The collected data was analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. Trend analysis technique was also used to establish relationship between specific energy consumption and identified parameters. Results show that the utilization factor has major impact on the energy consumption in the storages and the existing cold storages are not utilizing their storage capacities fully. Comparatively higher energy consumption was observed in the cold storages that have low utilization factors. Building aspect ratios and effective U-value of the building envelop were also identified one of the crucial parameters that can play a major role to improve the energy performance of the cold storages. As expected, a negligible variation in the specific energy consumption of the storages with the specific installed refrigeration systems and AHUs was observed.
Improving the feasibility of producing biofuels from microalgae using wastewater
(Taylor and Francis, 2013-10-08) Rawat, Ismail; Bhola, Virthie; Ranjith Kumar, R.
Biofuels have received much attention recently owing to energy consumption and environmental concerns. Despite many of the technologies being technically feasible, the processes are often too costly to be commercially viable. The major stumbling block to full-scale production of algal biofuels is the cost of upstream and downstream processes and environmental impacts such as water footprint and indirect greenhouse gas emissions from chemical nutrient production. The technoeconomics of biofuels production from microalgae is currently unfeasible due to the cost of inputs and productivities achieved. The use of a bioreﬁnery approach sees the production costs reduced greatly due to utilization of waste streams for cultivation and the generation of several potential energy sources and value-added products while oﬀering environmental protection. The use of wastewater as a production media, coupled with CO2 sequestration from ﬂue gas greatly reduces the microalgal cultivation costs. Conversion of residual biomass and by-products, such as glycerol, for fuel production using an integrated approach potentially holds the key to near future commercial implementation of biofuels production.
Irrigation water and microbiological safety of fresh produce : South Africa as a case study : a review
(Academic Journals, 2012-09-11) Ijabadeniyi, Oluwatosin Ademola; Buys, E. M.
Irrigation water is perhaps the leading pre-harvest source of contamination of fresh produce in the world. In this review, the impact of contaminated surface irrigation water on bacterial contamination of fresh produce was examined. Some practical solutions to prevent or reduce this challenge were also considered. In South Africa, fruit and vegetables are produced on a large scale by commercial farmers who depend on surface water for their cultivation. However, the surface water, that is, rivers- has been reported to be heavily contaminated with Escherichia coli and feacal coliforms. There is a concern that contaminated surface water used for irrigation may contaminate fresh vegetables which may also have a negative effect on the export of vegetables to the EU and USA. Consumption of vegetables contaminated with foodborne pathogens presents a public health risk especially in countries like South Africa that has more than 5 million people with immune-system compromised diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis. Other groups of people that may be negatively affected because of the contaminated surface water are those who are directly and indirectly associated with the production of fresh vegetables such as pickers, handlers, packers and farmers that participate in the production of vegetables during pre-harvest and post-harvest. Prevention of contamination of fresh produce from both pre-harvest and post-harvest sources especially irrigation water still remains the only effective way to protect the public. However, for this to occur, every stakeholder in the production industry must have a culture of food safety.