https://ir.cut.ac.zw/xmlui/handle/123456789/271 Dissertations & Theses Thu, 16 Jul 2026 23:19:49 GMT 2026-07-16T23:19:49Z https://ir.cut.ac.zw/xmlui/handle/123456789/853 Formulation of fish feed using essential elements from platinum minerals tailings and groundnut oil processing waste: A circular economy initiative. Mandimutsira, Crispin Kudakwashe The high cost of imported fish feed ingredients in Zimbabwe has become a concern. Given that fish feed primarily consists of essential elements and proteins, this study explored the potential of platinum mineral tailings, an underutilized byproduct of ore flotation, as a source of essential elements for fish feed formulation. Platinum mineral tailings may cause negative environmental effects through acid drainage caused by uncontrolled leaching of elements. The platinum mineral tailings were characterized using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) to determine their elemental and mineralogical composition, respectively. XRF revealed the presence of Fe, Ca, Si, Mg and Cr. XRD results concurred with the XRF analysis showing key mineral phases including taenite, pyroxene, landauite, enstatite ferro and kyanite. To recover essential elements, comparative leaching studies were carried out using inorganic acids 0.5 M sulfuric, hydrochloric, and organic acids: acetic, and citric acids. Citric acid exhibited higher extraction efficiencies compared to acetic acid. A combination of 0.5 M acetic acid and 0.5 M citric acid was used in the ratio 1:1 to improve extraction efficiency. Optimization studies were carried out using response surface methodology to determine the effects of contact time, acid concentration, temperature and pH. The optimized conditions were pH = 2, contact time = 5 hrs, and a temperature of 70 °C. The resultant leachates were analyzed using Inductive Coupled Plasma- Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). ICP-OES showed percentage recoveries of Ca (42. 42 %) , Cu (0.97 %) , Fe (0.05 %), K (45.61 %), Mg (35.48 %) ,Mn (27.43 %) , Na (64.42 %) and Zn (16.62 %). The leachates were then combined with groundnut oil processing waste. Groundnut oil processing waste was used as both an organic binder for the extracted elements, as well as a source of protein for the formulation. The resultant mixture was processed into pellets using optimized parameters of a volume of 25 ml of the mineral solution, 37.5 g of groundnut oil processing waste with 11% moisture content. The proximate and elemental analysis produced the nutritional content (%) as carbohydrates (56.6 ± 0.38) , protein (10.79 ± 0.12), lipids (15.91± 0.05) , ash (4.26 ± 0.10) , fiber (2.18 ± 0.04) and moisture (9.07 ± 0.05). Elemental concentrations (mg/kg) were, Ca (961.49 ± 0.46) , Cu (6.54 ± 0.069) , Fe (79.71 ± 0.29), K (5118.06 ± 1.4) , Mg (1090.10 ± 0.49), Mn (6.46 ± 0.061), Na (1183.07 ± 0.81) and Zn (0.296 ± 0.0029). iv The results showed potential of using waste from from metallurgical processing of platinum mineral as a source of essential elements combined with waste of processing oil from a local available indigenous crop Arachis hypogaea (groundnut). These are cheap to obtain as they are local however cost arise from purification and analysis to ascertain safety and quality. This study validates the technical feasibility of extracting elements from platinum mining waste for use as nutritionally essential elements to enrich groundnut oil processing waste. Comprehensive analytical characterisation and formulation optimisation were carried out. The results demonstrated nutrient recovery efficiency, toxic element removal, providing the essential baseline data required for designing further research on safety assessments, in vivo feeding trials and economic feasibility assessments.This approach has potential to offer a sustainable, locally sourced alternative to conventional feed ingredients, contributing to waste valorization and economic resilience in Zimbabwean aquaculture. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.cut.ac.zw/xmlui/handle/123456789/853 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.cut.ac.zw/xmlui/handle/123456789/851 Carbon substrate optimization for cultivation of pleurotus ostreatus and wild indigenous mushroom contherellus densifolius. Silivani, Elyson Nyasha The yield and quality of mushrooms are largely dependent on the substrate composition. Many Zimbabweans are venturing into mushroom farming with inadequate knowledge on substrate formulation for maximized yield.The yield and quality of mushrooms are largely dependent on the substrate composition. The main objective of the study was to determine the effect of different individual substrates and substrate combinations on the growth and sustainable development, perfomance during the cultivation of exotic P.ostreatus and wild Cantherellus in under constant conditions in a mushroom house. This study was carried out during the rainy seoson however these conditions do not have any implications on the results since we controlled the inernal environment of the mushroom.There is low published material related to oyster mushroom cultivation in Zimbabwe. Most of the substrates used in the literature review, highlighted substrates such as rice straw and palm kernek cake are agricutural wastes of crops not cultivated in Zimbabwe.Various substrate combinations in the ratio 1:1 used as treatments were cotton hulls -wheatstraw, cotton hulls-sawdust, cotton hullsmaizecobs, and cotton hulls-banana fronds. These substrates are commonly available in Zimbabwe. The combination producing the highest biological efficiency was used to cultivate wild indigenous C.densifolius. Fruition of C.densifolius was evaluated on hardwood sawdust and cotton hulls individually and in combination. Each combination weighed 1kg and was replicated 4 times.Compound substrates perfomed much better in terms of biological efficiency and spawn run compared to individual substrates. The highest biological efficiency (76%) and spawn run(17 days) for P.ostreatus were obtained from combining cotton hulls and sawdust followed by cotton hulls and maize cobs with biological efficiency of 50% and spawn run of 13 days. Consequently combining cotton hulls with a substrate that has a wide C:N ratio such as sawdust increases the biological efficiency as a result of the boost in the carbon component. Analysis in terms of economic return revealed that mushroom production was most profitable using cotton hulls and sawdust as substrate with a benefit-cost ratio of 5.7, followed by cotton hulls(4.2), cotton hulls-maizecobs(3.7), cotton hulls-banana fronds(2.4) and lastly cottonhulls-wheatstraw(2). The optimised substrate combination was then tested on the indigenous mushroom in an attempt to cultivate that wild and known to be naturally growing in the woods but instead under laboratory conditions. C. densifolius mycelia grew best on potato dextrose agar with a pH of 7 cultured in plates incubated in dark conditions, at room temperature (28 C), with no aeration. Mycelia of C.densifolius exhibited a higher rate of growth on Potato dextrose agar at a rate of 22.5mm/day obtained after 4 days, compared to Malt Extract agar that produced 12.9mm/day after 7days, to completely cover the petri plates and exhibited a tendency to change colour from white to green after 10 days of incubation. The phenomenon observed on the petri plates was deduced to be a spore print colouration. It took mycelia 6 days to completely cover Sorghum bicolor grains at 280C. Wheatstraw, banana fronds and maizecobs failed initiate fruiting. Cotton hulls produced green pinheads after 31 days of incubation. Sawdust and cotton hulls combination stimulated pinhead formation and maturation into fruiting bodies. The biological efficieny attained was 9% and the spawn run took 32 days. High yield and economic return can be obtained using sawdust and cotton hulls combination. The same combination can sustain growth and fruit formation of C.densifolius. We recommend use of this combination in the cultivation of P.ostreatus. We also recommend further studies into domestication of C.densifolius to increse the biological efficiency of C.densifolius. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.cut.ac.zw/xmlui/handle/123456789/851 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.cut.ac.zw/xmlui/handle/123456789/850 An exploration of value addition processes for indigenous root vegetables in Zimbabwe:Towards optmising indigenous root vegetable consumption for health and wellness sustenance. Chitupa, Patience Value addition processes to enhance the consumption of Indigenous Root Vegetables (IRVs) for health and wellness remain under-researched in Zimbabwe, negatively impacting their overall consumption. The consumption of IRVs has been declining, affecting human health and wellness sustenance. Therefore, this study explored value addition processes for optimizing the consumption of IRVs for health and wellness sustenance in Zimbabwe. Specifically, the study sought to explore indigenous root vegetables that are consumed for health and wellness sustenance in Rusape; assess value addition processes for optimizing indigenous root vegetables consumption; evaluate challenges and opportunities for value addition processes of indigenous root vegetables and recommend value addition processes to optimize indigenous root vegetable consumption for health and wellness sustenance. A qualitative methodology and phenomenology research design guided the data collection process. Data was collected in Rusape rural from a sample of 25 participants, comprising farmers, consumers, nutritionists, and food processing experts. Non-probability theory comprising snowball sampling method was used to select participants. The study capitalised on semi-structured interviews to gain deep insights and observations were augmented by photography. Participants’ voices were audio recorded. Research permission was obtained from various stakeholders, and approvals were granted accordingly. Data was analysed thematically and presented through themes, verbatim quotes, and figures. Findings indicate that value addition processes are practiced at household level, primarily using traditional techniques, except for solar dryers. These processes include milling, fermentation, sun-drying, and solar drying. Findings revealed that value addition processes being used are not effective enough to meet the current dietary trends and optimize consumption. Very little attention has been given to the value addition of IRVs by food processing companies. Findings also support that general consumption is declining and that available value addition processes are not doing much to minimize the decline. Neglecting value addition by food processing companies limits market potential, consumer accessibility, and consumption, underscoring the need for intervention. These challenges hinder the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) two (2) of zero hunger and three (3) of health and well-being. One of the way forward is to capitalize on value addition processes to align with changes in consumer tastes and preferences. This study advocates for collaboration between small-scale farmers and food processing companies to drive innovation in the value addition of IRVs, thus increasing consumer appeal and overall consumption for health and wellness sustenance. Future studies should explore IRVs that still need profiling, as well as experimental research to validate medicinal claims learned through trial and error by past generations Wed, 04 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.cut.ac.zw/xmlui/handle/123456789/850 2025-06-04T00:00:00Z https://ir.cut.ac.zw/xmlui/handle/123456789/848 Modelling venture creation intent in Higher Education institutions through entrepreneurship education:A case study of Chinhoyi University of Technology. Dikito, Tafadzwa Gerald This study explores the potential for enhancing venture creation through the development of a model for effective entrepreneurship education (EE) in Zimbabwe's higher education institutions. While previous research has addressed this topic, few studies have specifically focused on modeling EE for venture creation in Zimbabwe. Empirical evidence indicates a positive correlation between entrepreneurship education and venture creation; however, the situation in Zimbabwe presents challenges. Despite a significant number of entrepreneurship education graduates each year, the venture creation rate remains disappointingly low. This study aimed to examine the impact of various factors, including teaching methods, content, assessment methods, and the role of innovation and incubation centers on venture creation. Guided by pragmatism philosophy and drawing on Experiential Learning Theory and Social Cognitive Career Theory, the research utilized a survey design, the research involved stratified random sampling to classify participants from eight faculties. A total of 342 graduates from the Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) were selected from a target population of 2,350. Additionally, qualitative data were gathered through interviews with nine lecturers to gain deeper insights into the effectiveness of entrepreneurship education. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22, employing correlation and regression analyses to assess the relationships between independent variables and venture creation intentions. The findings confirm that teaching methods and entrepreneurship education content and incubation centers positively influence venture creation whilst assessment method and perceptions were found to have no significant impact on venture creation intention. Based on these results, the study recommends integrating business-related courses into the curriculum, overhauling teaching methods to emphasize experiential learning, and enhancing the support provided by incubation centers to promote business startups. Future research should examine multi-stakeholder dynamics including parental influence and industry partnerships, expand to multi-institutional analysis across Zimbabwean universities, and investigate contextual uniqueness of entrepreneurship education in resource constrained economies. Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.cut.ac.zw/xmlui/handle/123456789/848 2025-04-01T00:00:00Z