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Licensing opportunities originating from biosciences research by the CSIR
Edible film to extend shelf life of fruit
This technology has immense benefits for South Africa’s export market, particularly in the export of fruit. Bioscientists at the CSIR have developed an edible coating from kafirin, a hydrophobic sorghum protein. Laboratory studies have proven the technology to reduce shrivelling during storage and extend the shelf-life of fruit. Scientists studied changes in physico-chemical and sensory properties of fruit over a storage period of 24 days to gauge the effect of selected kafirin coatings on the post-harvest response and shelf-life of fruit. The most favourable kafirin coating was found to decrease ripening rate and therefore significantly extended shelf-life of fruit coated during the study. Uncoated fruit ripened and shrivelled earlier over the 24 days. The fruit was exported to the United Kingdom and quality evaluations were conducted. The test confirmed evidence from studies that the edible coating extends the shelf-life of fruit.
Porridge in an instant
This invention has yielded an instant maize porridge, which cuts out the traditional time-consuming process of boiling maize meal in water. The porridge does not need cooking and is prepared by simply adding water to the foodstuff base. The product has a similar texture and taste to maize meal prepared conventionally. Existing products tend to be sticky and do not disperse easily.
The technology is based on a method of extruding a mixture of a starch-based product in comminuted form, and an emulsifier component. By extruding the mixture, the starch-based product is physically modified by the emulsifier. The resultant foodstuff base readily disperses in water, and is instantly converted into a ready-to-eat porridge when water is added. In principle, any starch-based product such as potato, tapioca or manioc (cassava) can be used; however, it is envisaged the invention will have particular application to cereal such as wheat, grain sorghum, sago, rice and maize (corn).
Methyl ketones
CSIR Biosciences has developed a solid-state fermentation process for the production of natural methyl ketones and has established pilot plant production and distillation units. This product consists of a mixture of the primary substances 2-heptanone (10-20%), 2-nonanone (10-25%) and 2-undecanone (45 ‑ 65%) and is applied in the cheese, fruit flavours and perfumery industries. It is derived from coconut oil, a natural substrate. Micro-organisms are used as a catalyst. It is therefore classified as natural, halal and kosher.
Antimalarials
The CSIR has isolated and identified two lead compounds that show potential as a drug against strains of the malaria-causing protozoan parasite Plasmodium falciparum. The compounds isolated from medicinal plants traditionally used to treat malaria, have show significant anti-plasmodial activity in in vitro assays for both the chloroquine sensitive and resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum. These are currently undergoing pre-clinical studies as part of their further development.
Therapeutics derived from traditional medicines
Herbal remedy for the long-term management of asthma and allergies (BP4)
CSIR Biosciences has developed a novel herbal extract (BP4) for the treatment of mild asthma, colds, influenza and sinus problems. In vivo biological assaying of the herbal extract demonstrated moderate activity in reducing broncho-constriction, while significantly reducing pro-inflammatory and inflammatory mediators such as cytokine Interleukin-8 (IL8) responsible for the inflammatory pathway.
The results have pointed to the mode of action through which this traditional remedy acts and are the first scientific evidence that validates the traditional use of the plant for the treatment of asthma.
Herbal remedy for the treatment of inflammation and arthritis (BP16)
BP16, a novel herbal extract for the treatment of inflammation and arthritis, is based on a medicinal plant used for the treatment of this disease. In vivo studies of the herbal extract have shown significant reduction in inflammation and for the first time demonstrated scientific evidence validating the traditional use of the plant.
Herbal remedy for prevention of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BP5)
The CSIR has isolated a potential drug lead for the prevention of non-cancerous prostatic tumours. This is based on a plant used as a traditional treatment for urinary problems. Spray-dried and organic extracts of the plant were bio-assayed in vitro and were highly successful in inhibiting the enzyme steroid 5-a-reductase. This enzyme converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and is seen as one of the causative factors in the progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Research to date has provided early scientific evidence of a finished dosage form of the plant.
Herbal remedy for treatment of sexual or erectile dysfunction (BP21)
From indigenous knowledge, the CSIR has identified a potential drug lead for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and the enhancement of the male and female libido. Extracts of a medicinal plant, received from traditional healers and which is traditionally used to increase sexual drive and treat erectile dysfunction, demonstrated increased male libido during studies. The traditional remedy is usually taken as tea prepared from crushed, dried leaves and stems of the plant in hot water. Suitable aqueous and non-aqueous plant extracts were prepared and tested in the in vivo sexual activity, mating frequency/pregnancy model (MFM), which is a measure of male libido.
The extracts were also screened in vitro for inhibition of the Phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE 5) enzyme. Inhibition of this enzyme limits the hydrolysis of cGMP to 5'GMP and thereby increases the intracellular concentrations of cGMP, which result in the relaxation of the corpus carvenosum smooth muscle. When the muscles are relaxed, blood flows and fills the arteries causing the penis to erect. Results showed the organic extract to exhibit the highest inhibition of the PDE 5 enzyme. Fractionation of the organic extract led to the isolation of five compounds. Significant inhibition was obtained for one compound in the PDE5 enzymatic assay, while significant relaxation was observed for four compounds. The four compounds showed minimum/non-cytotoxicity at the effective concentrations.
Contact: Fanie Marais |
