Oluwakemi Kehinde Sobiyi

MSc Project

The family Apiaceae (also known as the carrot family) is very diverse, comprising over 3700 species in three subfamilies and has been well studied based on anatomical and molecular characters. These studies have provided the first phylogenetic framework against which the chemical patterns can be compared and interpreted to fully understand the diversity within the group. The chemical diversity of the north temperate Apiaceae (Asia, Europe and North America) has been relatively studied. Thus, the aim of the study is to provide a comprehensive chemosystemic evaluation of the South African members of the Apiaceae family, using new techniques of chemical profiling including High Performance Liquid Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry analysis. This study is expected to provide new insights into the evolution of chemical compounds within the family, and to potentially harness the medicinal and economic properties of the species.

Awards

• 2014 University of the Free State (Qwaqwa Campus): Best Honours student, Natural & Agricultural Sciences

Conference contributions

Sobiyi, O.K., Magee, A.R., Viljoen, A.M., Kamatou, G.P.P., Van Wyk, B.-E. 2015. "A pilot study of the chemosystematic potential of furanocoumarins and essential oil compounds in the genera Nanobubon and Notobubon (Apiaceae)".(Lecture: 18th Conference of the Indigenous Plant Use Forum joint with the 56th Conference of the Society for Economic Botany (SEB), Clanwilliam, South Africa, 28 June-02 July 2015).

Sobiyi, O.K. , Magee, A.R., Van Wyk, B.-E. 2015. "A review of chemosystematic patterns in African Apiaceae".(Lecture: 41st Annual Conference of the South African Association of Botanists (SAAB), Tshipise Resort/University of Venda, 11-15 January 2015).