Browsing by Author "Mukhoro, Ofhani Christopher"

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    Green Synthesis and characterization of gold Nanoparticles using Green Alga Ulva Lactuca and evaluation of their Catalytric Role
    (University of the Western Cape, 2016) Mukhoro, Ofhani Christopher; Antunes, Edith
    Nanoparticles synthesized using typical chemical procedures have associated environmental risks because of the use of hazardous chemicals. With the ever-increasing potential application for nanomaterials, there is a growing need to develop new synthetic procedures for nanomaterials which are non-toxic and eco-friendly. This study presents, as a first step, the screening of the aqueous extracts of several seaweeds in order to assess their ability to produce gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Eleven aqueous extracts were screened for the synthesis of AuNPs and where AuNPs were formed, these were further characterized using UV-vis spectroscopy and HRTEM primarily. Three of the eleven aqueous extracts shown to produce AuNPs were extracts obtained from brown algae. The total antioxidant and total reducing power contents, as well as the DPPH radical scavenging abilities for these extracts were determined and related to their ability to produce the NPs. The AuNPs were found to be of various shapes and sizes including spheres, rods and triangles, with sizes ranging from 20 nm to 200 nm.
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    Identification and characterization of a heat-inducible Hsp70 gene from Sorghum bicolor which confers tolerance to thermal stress
    (Springer, 2015) Mulaudzi-Masuku, Takalani; Mutepe, Rendani Daphney; Mukhoro, Ofhani Christopher
    This study describes the first detailed molecular characterization of the heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) gene from Sorghum bicolor, MN1618 designated as SbHsp70-1. The full-length cDNA of SbHsp70-1 consists of 2524 bp with a 1950 bp open reading frame, which encodes a protein of 649 amino acids. SbHsp70-1 is a cytoplasmic protein with high homology to other plant Hsp70s, especially grain crops. Recombinant SbHsp70-1 was able to bind and hydrolyse ATP in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting that SbHsp70-1 functions as an ATPase.