phytochemicals Archives

Green cleaning of heavy metals in water

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Researchers are investigating the possibility of using plant compounds to clean up heavy-metal pollution in South Africa, using compounds of flavonoids to remove metal ions from polluted water

Many anthropogenic activities have resulted in pollution of water with heavy metals, and pose a huge health risk for humans and animals. Some plants, however, can extract and accumulate these metals from soil and water without any toxic effects. Plant flavonoids are compounds that have the chemical ability to bind to heavy metals. Recent work by Dr Robert Luckay and […]

Harnessing the health benefits of plants

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Bianke Loedolff studies the use of plant-based medicine and researches the possibility of using biofortification to improve the known health benefits of plant-based medicine and microgreens

Plant-derived medicines have been used by humans for thousands of years. Currently, there is much focus on phytocannabinoids, usually extracted from cannabis plants. However, these health-benefitting compounds can also be found in other plants. Dr Bianke Loedolff, Dr Shaun Peters, Ethan Hunter, Alukhanyo Xonti and Vincent Malizukiswe Vacu at Stellenbosch University are investigating the role of plants in developing new […]

Plant phytochemicals. A new cancer chemopreventative?

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Dr Sanjay Gupta from Case Western Reserve University is exploring the chemopreventative properties of phytochemicals such as polyphenols and flavonoids, found in plants. The team aim to enhance our understanding of the epigenetic mechanisms that are influenced by phytochemicals resulting in cancer prevention. By manipulating gene expression, without changing the genetic code, phytochemicals can inhibit both oxidative stress and […]