About
Professional Summary
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.
Education
Academic Background
Publications (35)
Selected Scholarly Contributions
Egg utilization and consumer acceptability of egg dishes prepared with commercial egg powder in rural Mkhambathini, South Africa.
Ntila, S., U. Kolanisi and M. Siwela,
Int. J. Consum. Stud.,
| Journal Article
Muthulisi 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.
Ngobese, N.Z., T.S. Workneh and M. Siwela,
J. Food Sci. Technol.,
| Journal Article
Muthulisi Siwela
2017
Consumer awareness and acceptability of bambara groundnut as a protein source for use in complementary foods in rural KwaZulu-Natal.
Oyeyinka, A.T., P. Kirthee and S. Muthulisi,
South Afr. J. Clin. Nutr.,
| Journal Article
Muthulisi Siwela
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).
Kolanisi, U., T. Zanele, M. Lucy and S. Muthulisi,
J. Hum. Ecol.,
| Journal Article
Muthulisi Siwela
2017
Techniques applied in characterising non-starch polysaccharides in underutilised crops in sub-saharan Africa.
Agiriga, A.N and M. Siwela,
Food Anal. Meth.,
| Journal Article
Muthulisi Siwela
2017
Provitamin A retention and sensory acceptability of amahewu, a non-alcoholic cereal-based beverage made with provitamin A-biofortified maize.
Awobusuyi, T.D., O.A. Eric, S. Muthulisi and K. Unathi,
J. Sci. Food Agric.,
| Journal Article
Muthulisi Siwela
2016
Effects of amaranth addition on the pro-vitamin a content and physical and antioxidant properties of extruded pro-vitamin a-biofortified maize snacks.
Beswa, D., R.D. Nomusa, O.A. Eric, S. Muthulisi and D. John,
J. Sci. Food Agric.,
| Journal Article
Muthulisi Siwela
2016
Effect of Amaranth addition on the nutritional composition and consumer acceptability of extruded provitamin A-biofortified maize snacks.
Beswa, D., R.D. Nomusa, S. Muthulisi, O.A. Eric and K. Unathi,
Food Sci. Technol.,
| Journal Article
Muthulisi Siwela
2016
Composition of proteins extracted from two species of leguminous Bauhinia grains.
Siwela, M and A. Eric,
Cereal Chem.,
| Journal Article
Muthulisi Siwela
2016
Acceptance of a complementary food based on provitamin a-biofortified maize and chicken stew.
Amod, R., P. Kirthee, S. Muthulisi and K. Unathi,
J. Hum. Ecol.,
| Journal Article
Muthulisi Siwela
2016
Effect of provitamin A biofortified maize inclusion on quality of meat from indigenous chickens.
Odunitan-Wayas, F.A., U. Kolanisi, M. Chimonyo and M. Siwela,
J. Applied Poult. Res.,
| Journal Article
Muthulisi Siwela
2016
The future of grain Science: The contribution of indigenous small grains to food security, nutrition, and health in South Africa.
Dlamini, N.R and M. Siwela,
Cereal Foods World,
| Journal Article
Muthulisi Siwela
2015
Chemical composition and nutritive value of south african sorghum varieties as feed for broiler chickens.
Mabelebele, M., M. Siwela, R.M. Gous and P.A. Iji,
South Afr. J. Anim. Sci.,
| Journal Article
Muthulisi Siwela
2015
Methods of preparation of Swazi traditional fermented foods.
Simatende, P., T.H. Gadaga, S.J. Nkambule and M. Siwela,
J. Ethnic Foods,
| Journal Article
Muthulisi Siwela
2015
Effect of indigenous knowledge-based (IKS) sun drying on the microbiological quality and safety of egg powders.
Mnyandu, E., K. Unathi and S. Muthulisi,
Indilinga- Afr. J. Indigenous Knowl. Syst.,
| Journal Article
Muthulisi Siwela
2015
The potential of crossbreeding indigenouschickens to improve rural food security and nutrition in southern Africa- A review.
Odunitan-Wayas, F.A., K. Unathi, C. Michael and S. Muthulisi,
Indilinga- Afr. J. Indigenous Knowl. Syst.,
| Journal Article
Muthulisi Siwela
2015
Provitamin A carotenoids in biofortified maize and their retention during processing and preparation of South African maize foods.
Pillay, K., M. Siwela, J. Derera and F.J. Veldman,
J. Food Sci. Technol.,
| Journal Article
Muthulisi Siwela
2014
Acceptance of a ready-to-use supplementary food by stable HIV and HIV/TB treated patients.
Pillay, K., M. Siwela, F.J. Veldman, E.O. Amonsou and B.P. Mabaso,
South Afr. J. Clin. Nutr.,
| Journal Article
Muthulisi Siwela
2014
Assessment of popping ability of new tropical popcorn hybrids.
Jele, P., D. John and S. Muthulisi,
Austr. J. Crop Sci.,
| Journal Article
Muthulisi Siwela
2014
Chemical composition and microstructure of Bauhinia grains.
Amonsou, E.O., S. Muthulisi and R.D. Nomusa,
J. Food Sci. Technol.,
| Journal Article
Muthulisi Siwela
2014
Acceptance of a complementary food prepared with yellow, provitamin A-biofortified maize by black caregivers in rural KwaZulu-Natal.
Govender, L., K. Pillay, J. Derera and M. Siwela,
South Afr. J. Clin. Nutr.,
| Journal Article
Muthulisi Siwela
2014
Consumer perceptions and acceptability of egg powder as a preservation technique for rural household food security in impendle, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Mnyandu, E., K. Unathi, S. Muthulisi and O.A. Eric,
J. Hum. Ecol.,
| Journal Article
Muthulisi Siwela
2014
Nutritional quality of a ready-to-use food, and its acceptability to healthy and HIV-infected children receiving antiretroviral treatment.
Wiles, N.L., Z.N. Mahlangu, M. Siwela and F.J. Veldman,
South Afr. J. Clin. Nutr.,
| Journal Article
Muthulisi Siwela
2014
Hardness changes and endosperm modification during sorghum malting in grains of varying hardness and malt quality.
Chiremba, C., M. Siwela, L.W. Rooney and J.R.N. Taylor,
Cereal Chem.,
| Journal Article
Muthulisi Siwela
2013
Influence of biofortification with provitamin A on protein, selected micronutrient composition and grain quality of maize.
Pillay, K., S. Muthulisi, D. John and J.V. Frederick,
Afr. J. Biotechnol.,
| Journal Article
Muthulisi Siwela
2013
Consumer acceptance of yellow, provitamin A-biofortified maize in KwaZulu-Natal.
Pillay, K., J. Derera, M. Siwela and F.J. Veldman,
South Afr. J. Clin. Nutr.,
| Journal Article
Muthulisi Siwela
2011
Influence of phenolics in finger millet on grain and malt fungal load, and malt quality.
Siwela, M., J.R.N. Taylor, W.A.J. de Milliano and K.G. Duodu,
Food Chem.,
| Journal Article
Muthulisi Siwela
2010
Can sequential harvesting help small holder organic farmers meet consumer expectations for organic potatoes.
Katundu, M., S. Hendriks, J. Bower and M. Siwela,
Food Qual. Preference,
| Journal Article
Muthulisi Siwela
2010
Occurrence and location of tannins in finger millet grain and antioxidant activity of different grain types.
Siwela, M., J.R.N. Taylor, W.A.J. de Milliano and K.G. Duodu,
Cereal Chem.,
| Journal Article
Muthulisi Siwela
2007
Effects of traditional storage practices of small-scale organic farmers on potato quality.
Katundu, M.G.C., H. Sheryl, B. John and S. Mthulisi,
J. Sci. Food Agric.,
| Journal Article
Muthulisi Siwela
2007
Decontamination of aflatoxin-contaminated maize by dehulling.
Siwela, A.H., M. Siwela, G. Matindi, S. Dube and N. Nziramasanga,
J. Sci. Food Agric.,
| Journal Article
Muthulisi Siwela
2005
Yeasts and related micro-organisms isolated from ripe fruits of Zimbabwean marula plant (Sclerocarya caffra).
Okagbue, R.N and M. Siwela,
South Afr. J. Sci.,
| Journal Article
Muthulisi Siwela
2002
Microbiological quality of water processed and bottled in Zimbabwe.
Okagbue, R.N., N.R. Dlamini, M. Siwela and F. Mpofu,
Afr. J. Health Sci.,
| Journal Article
Muthulisi Siwela
2002
Isolation of Aureobasidium pullulans from Zimbabwean sources and glucosidase activities of selected isolates.
Okagbue, R.N., E. Mwenje, T. Kudanga, M. Siwela and T. Sibanda,
South Afr. J. Bot.,
| Journal Article
Muthulisi Siwela
2001
Susceptibility of selected commercial yeasts to autolysis for yeast extract production.
Okagbue, R.N., M. Siwela and G. Takurukura,
J. Appl. Sci. South. Afr.,
| Journal Article
Muthulisi Siwela
2000
