MRC PhD students

Debora is currently busy with her PhD in Food Science (with Biochemistry) at Stellenbosch University (US) under the supervision of Prof WCA Gelderblom (PROMEC Unit, MRC), Prof E Joubert (ARC) and Dr M Manley (US).  The majority of her research for this project is conducted at the PROMEC Unit of the MRC in Tygerberg and the ARC-Infruitec-Nietvoorbij in Stellenbosch.     

The health promoting properties of rooibos and honeybush have been researched by the MRC and the ARC in recent years and the antioxidant, antimutagenic and anticancer properties reported.  The current project involves an investigation on the bioavailability of the major polyphenols present in the South African herbal teas, rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) and honeybush (Cylopia genistoides).    Although the biological activities of the herbal teas are associated with the polyphenolic constituents no information is available on their bioavailability. Several in vitro studies on the metabolism of the major polyphenols will be conducted followed by in vivo studies in rats and vervet monkeys.  Important information of the possible metabolites formed as well as their bioactivities will be obtained that will form the basis for future bioavailability studies and their possible role in the preventive of disease in humans.

Supervisors: Prof WCA Gelderblom (PROMEC Unit, MRC), Prof E Joubert (ARC) and Dr M Manley (US)