Member Profile
Membership type: full
Ashira Roopnarain
Country of origin: South Africa Currently in: South Africa, Pretoria General field of specialization: Structural, Cell and Molecular Biology-
Degrees
2014 Doctorate Structural, Cell and Molecular Biology2008 Undergraduate Structural, Cell and Molecular Biology2007 Undergraduate Structural, Cell and Molecular Biology -
Current Research Activities
Structural, Cell and Molecular Biology
I am presently involved in projects related to: renewable energy generation in the form of biogas; biofertiliser production; bioremediation of coal-mine stockpiled soil; evaluation of endophytes associated with plant growth as well as biodiversity studies and application of nanotechnology in renewable energy generation and agroecosystem management.
Publications resulting from Research:
Roopnarain, A., Nkuna, R., Ndaba, B. & Adeleke, R. 2019. New insights into the metagenomic link between pre-treatment method, addition of an inoculum and biomethane yield during anaerobic digestion of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes). Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology https://doi.org/10.1002/jctb.6129
Nkuna, R., Roopnarain, A. & Adeleke, R. 2019. Effects of organic loading rates on microbial communities and biogas production from water hyacinth: A case of mono‐and co‐digestion. Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology 94(4), 1294-1304. https://doi.org/10.1002/jctb.5886
Ezeokoli O.T., Nwangburuka C.C., Adeleke R.A., Roopnarain A., Paterson G., Maboeta M.S. & Bezuidenhout C.C. 2019. Assessment of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal spore density and viability in soil stockpiles of South African opencast coal mines. South African Journal of Plant and Soil 36(2), 91-99. https://doi.org/10.1080/02571862.2018.1537011
Mukhuba, M., Roopnarain, A., Adeleke, R., Moeletsi, M. & Makofane, R. 2018. Comparative assessment of bio-fertiliser quality of cow dung and anaerobic digestion effluent. Cogent Food & Agriculture 4(1), 1435019. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311932.2018.1435019
Roopnarain, A. & Adeleke, R. 2017. Current Status, Hurdles and Future Prospects of Biogas Digestion Technology in Africa. Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews 67, 1162-1179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2016.09.087
Roopnarain, A., Mukhuba, M., Adeleke, R. & Moeletsi, M. 2017. Biases during DNA Extraction Affect Bacterial and Archaeal Community Profile of Anaerobic Digestion Samples. 3 Biotech 7, 375. https://doi:10.1007/s13205-017-1009-x
Adekunle, R., Adeleke, R. & Roopnarain, A. 2017. Soil fertility challenges and Biofertiliser as a viable alternative for increasing smallholder farmer crop productivity in sub-Saharan Africa. Cogent Food & Agriculture 3(1), 1400933. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311932.2017.1400933
Roopnarain, A., Sym, S. & Gray, V.M. 2015. Effect of Nitrogenous Source on Growth, Biochemical Composition and Ultrastructure of Isochrysis galbana (Isochrysidales, Haptophyta). Phycological Research 63(1), 43-50. https://doi.org/10.1111/pre.12070 (listed in top ten most accessed articles during 2014 - 2015 period)
Roopnarain, A., Sym, S. & Gray, V.M. 2015. Time of Culture Harvesting Effects Lipid Productivity of Nitrogen-Limited Isochrysis galbana U4 for Biodiesel Production. Aquaculture 438,12-16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2014.12.033
Roopnarain, A., Gray, V.M. & Sym, S. 2014. The Influence of Nitrogen Stress on Isochrysis galbana strain U4, a candidate for biodiesel production. Phycological Research 62(4): 237-249. https://doi.org/10.1111/pre.12054 (listed in top ten most accessed articles during 2014 - 2015 period)
Roopnarain, A., Gray, V.M. & Sym, S. 2014. Phosphorus Limitation and Starvation effects on Isochrysis galbana U4 for biodiesel production. Bioresource Technology 158: 408-411. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2014.01.092
Current profession
Current professional activities type:OtherResearch and Development Laboratory management Leading the Microbiology and Environmental Biotechnology Research Group
Affiliations
South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions