MRC PhD student

Level of study: PhD

Title: Heavy Metals and pesticides contaminants in South African Medicinal Plants

Research Question: Most medicinal plants are harvested from the wild and their quality and authenticity cannot be guaranteed and this poses a problem for the research and development of traditional medicines. This not only threatens medicinal plant biodiversity but also leads to speculation with regard to safety as industrial encroachment has led to contamination of water sources and natural habitats. This possible contamination of medicinal plants by heavy metals and pesticides is rarely taken into consideration. The toxicity of these plants could be due to their possible contaminants such as heavy metals for those plants collected along the road side and pesticides for those plants collected in agricultural land.

Evaluating and monitoring potentially harmful substances is an essential step in improving the overall safety and quality of medicinal plants which will in turn result in safeguarding the consumer.

Project summary: With the experience that Renée has brought to the IKS Lead Programme, she is now setting up a methodological process and system, to develop procedures for analysis of all plants utilized by the Programme’s researchers to be evaluated for heavy metal analysis and possible pesticide contamination through SABS laboratories.

Supervisors: Prof J van Staden
Mentor: Dr MG Matsabisa
Support: MRC/DST Professional Development Programme (PDP)
MRC Unit: Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS)
Study Institution: University of KwaZulu-Natal,
Research Centre for Plant Growth and Development, School of Biological and Conservation Sciences