The Ecological Biotechnology Research Group (EcoBio) is a multidisciplinary research group within the Faculty of Applied Sciences at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). EcoBio integrates biotechnology, environmental science, engineering, microbiology, geospatial sciences, and environmental management to develop sustainable solutions for pressing environmental challenges.
The group's research focuses on applying biological systems and innovative technologies to pollution control, wastewater treatment, waste management, renewable energy generation, biomass utilisation, soil health enhancement, and ecosystem restoration.
Vision
To be a leading African research group advancing ecological biotechnology solutions for environmental sustainability, resource recovery, and circular bioeconomy development.
Mission
To develop innovative and sustainable biotechnological approaches that:
- Protect environmental resources
- Improve water quality and treatment systems
- Promote renewable energy generation
- Advance sustainable waste management
- Support ecosystem restoration and biodiversity conservation
- Inform environmental policy and decision-making
Research Themes
Pollution Control and Environmental Remediation
Wastewater Treatment and Water Quality
Research includes:
- Biological wastewater treatment
- Effluent quality assessment
- Bioflocculant development
- Biodefoamer technologies
- River water quality monitoring
- Wastewater reuse technologies
Sustainable Waste Management
Research areas include:
- Circular economy approaches
- Illegal dumping and environmental health
- Community participation in waste management
- Waste valorisation
- Recycling and resource recovery
- Informal settlement waste management
Renewable Energy and Bioenergy
Focus on:
- Biohydrogen production
- Anaerobic digestion
- Waste-to-energy technologies
- Microalgae-based biofuels
- Sustainable energy generation from biomass
Climate Change, Ecosystems and Environmental Management
Research includes:
- Climate variability impacts on water resources
- Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
- Geospatial environmental monitoring
- Land degradation assessment
- Bush encroachment studies
- Ecosystem restoration
Research Leadership
Principal Investigator
Dr Boredi Silas Chidi
Senior Lecturer | Biotechnology
Research Interests
- Bioprocess engineering
- Fermentation technology
- Wastewater treatment
- Environmental biotechnology
- Industrial biotechnology
- Bioenergy
- Sustainable waste management
- Circular bioeconomy
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Co-Principal Investigators
Dr Thabang Maphanga
Research Areas:
- Environmental management
- Water quality
- Climate change
- GIS and remote sensing
- Environmental impact assessment
Dr Benett Siyabonga Madonsela
Research Areas:
- Air quality
- Waste management
- Environmental pollution
- Community-based environmental management
Research Team
Core Members
- Dr Boredi S. Chidi
- Dr Thabang Maphanga
- Dr Benett S. Madonsela
- Dr Maxwell Mewa
- Dr Vanessa A. Jackson
- Dr Cynthia Dlangamandla
- Prof K.N. Ntwamp
Collaborators and Partners
National Collaborators
- University of Cape Town (UCT)
- University of Johannesburg (UJ)
- University of South Africa (UNISA)
- Durban University of Technology (DUT)
- Stellenbosch University
- Agricultural Research Council (ARC)
International Collaborators
- Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (Malaysia)
- International environmental biotechnology and bioenergy research networks
Industry Partners
- City of Cape Town
- Agricultural Research Council
- iThemba Labs
- Centre for Proteomic and Genomic Research (CPGR)
Student Training and Capacity Development
EcoBio actively supports postgraduate and undergraduate student development in:
- Biotechnology
- Environmental Management
- Environmental Health
- Water Science
- Bioprocess Engineering
- Climate Change Research
Current Training Portfolio
- PhD Students
- Doctoral Engineering Candidates
- Master's Students
- Postgraduate Diploma Students
- Undergraduate Research Interns
The group has successfully supervised numerous Master's, and Doctorate graduates and continues to build research capacity within South Africa and beyond.
Research Outputs
Selected Recent Publications (2024-2026)
- Madonsela et al. (2024). Spatial and Temporal Water Quality Monitoring in the Crocodile River, South Africa. Water.
- Mukandi et al. (2024). Bioflocculant Producing Bacillus megaterium from Poultry Slaughterhouse Wastewater. Applied Sciences.
- Dlangamandla et al. (2024). Modeling of Biofoam Destabilization in Poultry Slaughterhouse Wastewater. Water.
- Grangxabe et al. (2024). Waste Management Practices of Street Vendors in Sub-Saharan Africa. Journal of Environmental Management.
- Maphanga et al. (2024). Heavy Metals and Water Quality Dynamics in South African River Systems.
- Chidi et al. (2025). Innovations in Environmental Remediation and Sustainable Resource Utilisation. Applied Sciences.
- Grangxabe, Maphanga, Chidi & Ntwampe (2026). Spatiotemporal Analysis of Agricultural Variability in Eastern Cape Villages Using Google Earth Engine.
Facilities and Expertise
EcoBio offers expertise in:
- Environmental Biotechnology
- Wastewater Treatment Technologies
- Water Quality Analysis
- Environmental Monitoring
- GIS and Remote Sensing
- Air Quality Assessment
- Waste Management
- Bioenergy Production
- Bioprocess Engineering
- Environmental Impact Assessment
- Ecological Restoration
Applied Sciences
Business & Management Sciences
Education
Engineering & the Built Environment
Health & Wellness Sciences
Informatics & Design