Post Graduate Candidates
Postgraduate Research group in Bioprocess Technology, under the supervisor of Professor E.B
Gueguim Kana, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu Natal.
Brief Description of Research
Gabriel Sanjo Aruwajoye (PhD Candidate Microbiology)
BSc Biochemistry (LAUTECH),
BSc Hons Biochemistry (LAUTECH),
MSc Biochemistry (Obafemi Awolowo University)
My research focuses on bioprocess development for
bioethanol production from cassava peel wastes.
Bioethanol as a renewable source of energy is considered
as a suitable alternative to fossil fuel and offers cleaner
combustion and low carbon emission. Cheap and
renewable feedstock is however needed to lower
bioethanol production cost while protecting food
security. Cassava is a highly starchy crop that can
generate a huge biomass for bioethanol production.
Profitable utilization of cassava wastes for bioethanol can
be achieved through several strategies at various stages
of the production.
Supervisor
Prof E.B. Gueguim Kana
Telephone: 033 260 6256
Email: [email protected]
Brief Description of Research
I am investigating the possibility of enhancing Biofuel
production (Bioethanol and Biohydrogen) using
Nanoparticles and immobilized cell systems. I aim to
understand and
enhance the impact of various
nanoparticle types on mass transfer efficiency in
bioprocess and other cell metabolic channels for biofuel
production.
Isaac Sanusi (PhD Candidate - Microbiology),
BTech Microbiology (Federa University of
Technology, Akura),
MTech Environmental Microbiology (Federa
University of Technology, Akura)
Telephone: 0616181662
Email: [email protected]
Supervisor
Prof E.B. Gueguim Kana
Brief Description of Research
Yeshona Sewsynker (PhD Candidate Microbiology)
BSc Microbiology (UKZN, PMB),
BSc Hons Microbiology (UKZN, PMB)
MSc Microbiology (UKZN, PMB),
My PhD research focuses on the use of waste
lignocellulosic biomass such as Corn Cobs for biofuel
production. Application of waste biomass for biofuel
production requires prior treatments in order to release
fermentable sugar that may be utilized by
microorganisms. The development of a cost-effective and
environmental friendly pretreatment method for
maximum reducing sugar yield from corn cobs has been
achieved. Additionally, the kinetics of bioethanol
production using this substrate is being investigated
across bioprocess modes. My study paves the way for
process scale up and commercialization of bioethanol
from corn cob wastes.
Supervisor
Prof E.B. Gueguim Kana
Telephone: 033 260 6256
Email: [email protected]
Brief Description of Research
Preshanthan Moodley (PhD Candidate Microbiology)
BA Motion Picture Medium (AFDA),
BA Hons Motion Picture Medium (AFDA),
BSc Microbiology/Biochemistry (UKZN, PMB),
BSc Hons Microbiology (UKZN, PMB),
MSc Microbiology Cum laude (UKZN, PMB)
Telephone: 033 260 6256
Email: [email protected]
My research focuses on the development of
pretreatment strategies for agricultural wastes such as
sugarcane leaves using metal chloride salts, to enhance
the enzymatic digestibility and improve the release of
sugars. Bioprocess development for bioethanol
production from these sugars is another aspect I’m
looking into, with emphasis on kinetic studies, reactor
configuration and techno economic assessment. My
findings will provide novel strategies for economically
viable biofuel production processes from agricultural
wastes.
Supervisor
Prof E.B. Gueguim Kana
Brief Description of Research
Strategies for Enhancing Biofuel Production from
Wastewaters: Multiple Substrates and Multiple Products
Multiple Substrate Approach:
Co-substrate ratio optimization of three industrial
wastewaters (domestic, dairy, and apple juice) for
biohydrogen production. This strategy allows for nutrient
balance to steer microbial metabolism towards hydrogen
generation, thus increasing product yield.
Kimberley Bruce (MSc Candidate - Microbiology)
BSc Genetics & Microbiology Cum laude (UKZN,
PMB),
BSc Hons Microbiology (UKZN, PMB),
Telephone: 033 260 6256
Multiple Product Approach:
Generation of biodiesel and bioethanol from microalgae
cultivated on brewery wastewater. Microalgae produce
neutral lipids and various sugars. Neutral lipids are
extracted and converted to biodiesel; sugars are
fermented by yeast to produce bioethanol. This strategy
targets a complete valorization of all algal components,
thus making industrial application more financially viable.
Email: [email protected]
Supervisor
Prof E.B. Gueguim Kana
Brief Description of Research
Mariam B.H. Khan (MSc Candidate Microbiology)
BSc Biochemistry & Microbiology (UKZN, PMB),
BSc Hons Microbiology (UKZN, PMB)
Telephone: 033 260 6256
Email: [email protected]
M. B. Hassan Khan is currently a Masters student working
on the design and implementation of novel bioreactor
types for biofuel research and production. Her previous
bioreactor which was designed and fabricated with 3D
printed components has been published in International
Journal of Hydrogen Energy. This design has been
modified, scaled up and comparatively assessed with the
standard Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR) for
various biofuels production. The new reactor aimed at
optimizing immobilized fermentation reactions and has
been assessed on dark fermentation for biohydrogen
production. This novel design is expected to shorten the
process development time for various biofuels and
enhance their technoeconomics.
Supervisor
Prof EB Gueguim Kana
Brief Description of Research
Zanenhlanhla Gumbi (MSc candidate Microbiology)
BSc Microbiology & Biochemistry (UKZN, PMB),
BSc Hons Microbiology (UKZN, PMB)
Telephone: 033 260 6256
Email: [email protected]
Oleaginous microalgae are promising candidates for
renewable energy production. My research focuses
on microalgal biotechnology with emphasis on the
production of lipids for biofuels and other commercially
important microalgal products. Optimization of key
parameters, using Artificial Intelligence and statistical
techniques, for growth and product formation is a major
aspect of my research. Additionally, I have been
investigating novel more efficient microalgal harvesting
techniques as well as efficient strategies for wastewater
treatment using microalgae. I have a deep believe that
the economic viability of microalgal biotechnology
depends on the complete valorization of all algal
components as well as strategic optimization at upstream
and downstream stages.
Supervisor
Prof E.B. Gueguim Kana
Brief Description of Research
Reisha Narine (MSc Candidate – Microbiology)
My research focuses on bioenergy production from
microalgae. I understand that solely improving
microalgae growth rate or lipid content are unlikely to
reduce production costs to prices competitive with
petroleum based fuels. So, I have been investigating and
optimizing novel algal harvesting approaches using
magnetic nanoparticles. We have used Artificial
Intelligence to develop a novel tool that can predict the
microalgae harvesting efficiency on different magnetic
nanoparticles. Additionally, I am investigating and
optimizing a range of biological based transesterification
processes to convert microalgae lipids into biodiesel fuel.
My findings are expected to produce a more cost
effective biodiesel fuel from microalgae lipid grown on
wastewaters.
BSc Genetics and Microbiology (UKZN, PMB),
BSc Hons Microbiology (UKZN, PMB),
Telephone: 033 391 4300 / 084 728 6689
Email: [email protected] /
[email protected]
Supervisor
Prof E.B. Gueguim Kana
Caitlyn Sarawan (Hons Candidate - Microbiology)
BSc Genetics & Microbiology (UKZN, PMB)
Telephone: 076 763 3512
Email:[email protected]
Brief Description of Research
Lignocellulosic Biomass are excellent substrates for
fermentative biofuels and bioproducts. However their
use is challenged by the presence various fermentation
inhibitor compounds such as acetic acid, furfural and 5Hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF) which are formed during
the thermal or chemical pretreatment.
My research
investigates and optimizes lowcost
strategies to detoxify these pretreated lignocellulosic
substrates prior to the fermentation process. My
products of interest are biofuels among others. My
expected contribution to knowledge will provide
optimized lowcost strategies to reduce fermentation
inhibitors and enhance product formation from microbial
bioprocesses using lignocellulosic substrates.
Supervisor
Prof E.B. Gueguim Kana
Brief Description of Research
Rowane Somaru (Hons Candidate - Microbiology)
BSc LES (UKZN, PMB)
Telephone: 033 260 6265
The cost of treatment of agricultural and industrial
effluents has skyrocketed in recent time. Yet, these
waste streams are rich in nutrients that can be converted
into biofuel by microorganisms. But no single waste
stream has all the necessary nutrients required for
efficient microbial biofuel production.
I am investigating the appropriate mixing strategy of
agricultural and industrial wastes (corn husks, dairy
wastewater and fruit wastes) using the mixed biomass
concept for the production of second generation
microbial bioethanol. My findings will provide an
appropriate ratio combination of different waste streams
for optimum production of ethanol biofuel, with the
added advantage of waste treatment.
Email: [email protected]
Supervisor
Prof E.B. Gueguim Kana