Dr. Muthulisi  Siwela
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Dr. Muthulisi Siwela

Senior Lecturer
University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa


Highest Degree
Ph.D. in Food Sciences from University of Pretoria, South Africa

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Biography

Dr Siwela has over 15 years’ experience as a university academic performing in the three main roles of teaching, research and community engagement. Currently, he lectures Food Science, Postharvest Technologies, Storage and Preservation of Food for Food Security at UKZN. He currently serves as Acting Head of Discipline of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, UKZN. Dr Siwela currently serves as Undergraduate Programme External Examiner for the University of Malawi, University of Limpopo, University of Zululand and University of Venda.

He has been involved in the successful supervision of 23 masters and 7 PhD students in several agricultural fields, including Food Science and Technology, Human Nutrition and Food Security. He has examined 18 master’s dissertations and seven (7) PhD theses.

He has served as Principal Investigator or co-Investigator for six (6) big research projects, some of which were consultancy work in agricultural value chains commissioned by national and international organizations. Dr Siwela has authored and co-authored more than 50 scientific reports, including more than 40 papers in peer reviewed journals and a book chapter. He is a member of the South African Association for Food Science and Technology (SAAFoST) and is registered as a Professional Natural Scientist with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP), Rated (C3) Researcher, National Research Foundation, South Africa.

Area of Interest:

Food Science and Technology
100%
Product Development
62%
Food Value Chains
90%
Food Chemistry
75%
Cereal Science
55%

Research Publications in Numbers

Books
0
Chapters
0
Articles
0
Abstracts
0

Selected Publications

  1. Oyeyinka, A.T., P. Kirthee and S. Muthulisi, 2017. Consumer awareness and acceptability of bambara groundnut as a protein source for use in complementary foods in rural KwaZulu-Natal. South Afr. J. Clin. Nutr., 30: 87-92.
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  2. Ntila, S., U. Kolanisi and M. Siwela, 2017. Egg utilization and consumer acceptability of egg dishes prepared with commercial egg powder in rural Mkhambathini, South Africa. Int. J. Consum. Stud., 41: 87-94.
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  3. Ngobese, N.Z., T.S. Workneh and M. Siwela, 2017. Effect of low-temperature long-time and high-temperature short-time blanching and frying treatments on the French fry quality of six Irish potato cultivars. J. Food Sci. Technol., 54: 507-517.
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  4. Kolanisi, U., T. Zanele, M. Lucy and S. Muthulisi, 2017. The multifaceted nature of food and nutrition insecurity in South Africa: Lessons learnt from conducting a case study of malnourished children on nutrition security programme (NSP). J. Hum. Ecol., 57: 78-84.
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  5. Govender, L., K. Pillay, M. Siwela, A. Modi and T. Mabhaudhi, 2017. Food and nutrition insecurity in selected rural communities of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa- linking human nutrition and agriculture. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 10.3390/ijerph14010017.
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  6. Agiriga, A.N and M. Siwela, 2017. Techniques applied in characterising non-starch polysaccharides in underutilised crops in sub-saharan Africa. Food Anal. Meth., 10: 3106-3118.
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  7. Siwela, M and A. Eric, 2016. Composition of proteins extracted from two species of leguminous Bauhinia grains. Cereal Chem., 93: 557-561.
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  8. Odunitan-Wayas, F.A., U. Kolanisi, M. Chimonyo and M. Siwela, 2016. Effect of provitamin A biofortified maize inclusion on quality of meat from indigenous chickens. J. Applied Poult. Res., 25: 581-590.
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  9. Beswa, D., R.D. Nomusa, S. Muthulisi, O.A. Eric and K. Unathi, 2016. Effect of Amaranth addition on the nutritional composition and consumer acceptability of extruded provitamin A-biofortified maize snacks. Food Sci. Technol., 36: 30-39.
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  10. Beswa, D., R.D. Nomusa, O.A. Eric, S. Muthulisi and D. John, 2016. Effects of amaranth addition on the pro-vitamin a content and physical and antioxidant properties of extruded pro-vitamin a-biofortified maize snacks. J. Sci. Food Agric., 96: 287-294.
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  11. Awobusuyi, T.D., O.A. Eric, S. Muthulisi and K. Unathi, 2016. Provitamin A retention and sensory acceptability of amahewu, a non-alcoholic cereal-based beverage made with provitamin A-biofortified maize. J. Sci. Food Agric., 96: 1356-1361.
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  12. Amod, R., P. Kirthee, S. Muthulisi and K. Unathi, 2016. Acceptance of a complementary food based on provitamin a-biofortified maize and chicken stew. J. Hum. Ecol., 55: 152-159.
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  13. Simatende, P., T.H. Gadaga, S.J. Nkambule and M. Siwela, 2015. Methods of preparation of Swazi traditional fermented foods. J. Ethnic Foods, 2: 119-125.
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  14. Odunitan-Wayas, F.A., K. Unathi, C. Michael and S. Muthulisi, 2015. The potential of crossbreeding indigenouschickens to improve rural food security and nutrition in southern Africa- A review. Indilinga- Afr. J. Indigenous Knowl. Syst., 14: 195-209.
  15. Mnyandu, E., K. Unathi and S. Muthulisi, 2015. Effect of indigenous knowledge-based (IKS) sun drying on the microbiological quality and safety of egg powders. Indilinga- Afr. J. Indigenous Knowl. Syst., 14: 222-232.
  16. Mabelebele, M., M. Siwela, R.M. Gous and P.A. Iji, 2015. Chemical composition and nutritive value of south african sorghum varieties as feed for broiler chickens. South Afr. J. Anim. Sci., 45: 206-213.
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  17. Dlamini, N.R and M. Siwela, 2015. The future of grain Science: The contribution of indigenous small grains to food security, nutrition, and health in South Africa. Cereal Foods World, 60: 177-180.
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  18. Wiles, N.L., Z.N. Mahlangu, M. Siwela and F.J. Veldman, 2014. Nutritional quality of a ready-to-use food, and its acceptability to healthy and HIV-infected children receiving antiretroviral treatment. South Afr. J. Clin. Nutr., 27: 222-227.
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  19. Pillay, K., M. Siwela, J. Derera and F.J. Veldman, 2014. Provitamin A carotenoids in biofortified maize and their retention during processing and preparation of South African maize foods. J. Food Sci. Technol., 51: 634-644.
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  20. Pillay, K., M. Siwela, F.J. Veldman, E.O. Amonsou and B.P. Mabaso, 2014. Acceptance of a ready-to-use supplementary food by stable HIV and HIV/TB treated patients. South Afr. J. Clin. Nutr., 27: 31-37.
  21. Mnyandu, E., K. Unathi, S. Muthulisi and O.A. Eric, 2014. Consumer perceptions and acceptability of egg powder as a preservation technique for rural household food security in impendle, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. J. Hum. Ecol., 48: 207-217.
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  22. Jele, P., D. John and S. Muthulisi, 2014. Assessment of popping ability of new tropical popcorn hybrids. Austr. J. Crop Sci., 8: 831-839.
  23. Govender, L., K. Pillay, J. Derera and M. Siwela, 2014. Acceptance of a complementary food prepared with yellow, provitamin A-biofortified maize by black caregivers in rural KwaZulu-Natal. South Afr. J. Clin. Nutr., 27: 217-221.
    Direct Link  |  
  24. Amonsou, E.O., S. Muthulisi and R.D. Nomusa, 2014. Chemical composition and microstructure of Bauhinia grains. J. Food Sci. Technol., 51: 2263-2269.
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  25. Pillay, K., S. Muthulisi, D. John and J.V. Frederick, 2013. Influence of biofortification with provitamin A on protein, selected micronutrient composition and grain quality of maize. Afr. J. Biotechnol., 12: 5285-5293.
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  26. Chiremba, C., M. Siwela, L.W. Rooney and J.R.N. Taylor, 2013. Hardness changes and endosperm modification during sorghum malting in grains of varying hardness and malt quality. Cereal Chem., 90: 138-144.
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  27. Pillay, K., J. Derera, M. Siwela and F.J. Veldman, 2011. Consumer acceptance of yellow, provitamin A-biofortified maize in KwaZulu-Natal. South Afr. J. Clin. Nutr., 24: 186-191.
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  28. Siwela, M., J.R.N. Taylor, W.A.J. de Milliano and K.G. Duodu, 2010. Influence of phenolics in finger millet on grain and malt fungal load, and malt quality. Food Chem., 121: 443-449.
    CrossRef  |  
  29. Katundu, M., S. Hendriks, J. Bower and M. Siwela, 2010. Can sequential harvesting help small holder organic farmers meet consumer expectations for organic potatoes. Food Qual. Preference, 21: 379-384.
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  30. Siwela, M., J.R.N. Taylor, W.A.J. de Milliano and K.G. Duodu, 2007. Occurrence and location of tannins in finger millet grain and antioxidant activity of different grain types. Cereal Chem., 84: 169-174.
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  31. Katundu, M.G.C., H. Sheryl, B. John and S. Mthulisi, 2007. Effects of traditional storage practices of small-scale organic farmers on potato quality. J. Sci. Food Agric., 87: 1820-1825.
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  32. Siwela, A.H., M. Siwela, G. Matindi, S. Dube and N. Nziramasanga, 2005. Decontamination of aflatoxin-contaminated maize by dehulling. J. Sci. Food Agric., 85: 2535-2538.
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  33. Okagbue, R.N., N.R. Dlamini, M. Siwela and F. Mpofu, 2002. Microbiological quality of water processed and bottled in Zimbabwe. Afr. J. Health Sci., 9: 99-103.
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  34. Okagbue, R.N and M. Siwela, 2002. Yeasts and related micro-organisms isolated from ripe fruits of Zimbabwean marula plant (Sclerocarya caffra). South Afr. J. Sci., 98: 551-552.
  35. Okagbue, R.N., E. Mwenje, T. Kudanga, M. Siwela and T. Sibanda, 2001. Isolation of Aureobasidium pullulans from Zimbabwean sources and glucosidase activities of selected isolates. South Afr. J. Bot., 67: 157-160.
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  36. Okagbue, R.N., M. Siwela and G. Takurukura, 2000. Susceptibility of selected commercial yeasts to autolysis for yeast extract production. J. Appl. Sci. South. Afr., 6: 99-106.