Sawubona Mycelium

Sawubona Mycelium is a biotechn ology company that recognises the power of microorganisms and fermentation to transform the process of manufacturing into one that is sustainable and responsible. Neo and Busi Moloi have been working on incorporating mushroomderived active ingredients into skincare products to produce clean, more effective and safe-to-use beauty products. Founded by the Molois in 2018 with the purpose of combining their passions for fermentation and medicinal mushrooms, the two biotechnologists are producing bio-actives such as mushroom beta-glucan, mycelium lysate and mycelium fermentation filtrate, which are useful in a variety of skincare applications. These ingredients are derived from the mycelium of different mushroom strains such as Split Gill (Schizophyllum commune), Oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus) and Enokitake (Flammulina velutipes).

These ingredients each contain a complex of bioactives that are excellent for hydration, skin soothing, antiinflammatory, UV protection and aid in skin recovery after sun exposure, as well as supporting the growth of good skin bacteria.

In 2020, for the first time in African history, Sawubona Mycelium produced 800 litres of mycelium from Enokitake produced via liquid cultivation. The aim was to produce material that can be used as ingredients in cosmetic products, setting them up to be a leader in scaled production of mycelium derived bioactives in Africa. The team used these ingredients to develop a mycelium inspired skincare brand called Bluberyl.