Browsing by Author "Mutepe, Rendani Daphney"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    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.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Investigation of Guayule's Agronomic Performance and Agro-processing in South Africa
    (University of the Western Cape, 2017) Mutepe, Rendani Daphney; Ndimba, Bongani; Cornish, Katrina; Mulaudzi-Masuku, Takalani
    Guayule (Parthenium argentatum) is grown for its high quality hypoallergenic natural rubber latex production. The plant is native to the Chihuahua desert of North America and successful trials have been done in Europe, the United States of America (USA) and the Republic of South Africa (RSA). It is already undergoing industrial scale development in the USA producing good quality rubber products with impressive stretchiness and strength. The performance of guayule lines AZ1, AZ2, AZ3, AZ4, AZ5, AZ6, OSU1, and 11591 was investigated in the Eastern and Western Cape regions in RSA with an ultimate goal of leading to commercial production. To ensure continuous supply of plants, and avoiding documented seed dormancy issues, a micropropagation protocol was established using the OSU1 guayule line. In addition, laboratory scale latex extraction was accomplished using the Waring blender method with KOH pH 11 buffer and the amount of latex was quantified using the 1 ml latex quantification method. The extracted latex homogenate from the different guayule lines was pooled and purified using Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose. The efficiency of different molecular weights (90 000, 250 000 and 700 000) of Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose was determined in creaming guayule latex at room temperature and 4 degrees celcius. The optimal creaming results were incorporated into creaming latex extracted from the different guayule lines during this study.