Brief Description of Research My PhD research focuses on the use of waste Yeshona Sewsynker (PhD Candidate - lignocellulosic biomass such as Corn Cobs for biofuel Microbiology) production. Application of waste biomass for biofuel production requires prior treatments in order to release BSc Microbiology (UKZN, PMB), fermentable sugar that may be utilized by BSc Hons Microbiology (UKZN, PMB) microorganisms. The development of a cost-effective and MSc Microbiology (UKZN, PMB), environmental friendly pretreatment method for maximum reducing sugar yield from corn cobs has been Telephone: 033 260 6256 achieved. Additionally, the kinetics of bioethanol production using this substrate is being investigated Email: 210550313@stu.ukzn.ac.za 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 Brief Description of Research My research focuses on the development of Preshanthan Moodley (PhD Candidate - pretreatment strategies for agricultural wastes such as Microbiology) sugarcane leaves using metal chloride salts, to enhance the enzymatic digestibility and improve the release of BA Motion Picture Medium (AFDA), sugars. Bioprocess development for bioethanol BA Hons Motion Picture Medium (AFDA), production from these sugars is another aspect I’m BSc Microbiology/Biochemistry (UKZN, PMB), looking into, with emphasis on kinetic studies, reactor BSc Hons Microbiology (UKZN, PMB), configuration and techno economic assessment. My MSc Microbiology Cum laude (UKZN, PMB) findings will provide novel strategies for economically viable biofuel production processes from agricultural Telephone: 033 260 6256 wastes. Email: preshanthan@gmail.com Supervisor Prof E.B. Gueguim Kana
Yeshona Sewsynker (PhD Candidate - Microbiology) BSc Microbiology (UKZN, PMB), BSc Hons Microbiology (UKZN, PMB) MSc Microbiology (UKZN, PMB), Telephone: 033 260 6256 Email: 210550313@stu.ukzn.ac.za Brief Description of Research 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 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: preshanthan@gmail.com Brief Description of Research 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