Commercialization of a sorghum probiotic drink (Niselo)
Submitting University
Tshwane University of Technology
Summary of the impact:
(Including who or what has benefited, been influenced, or acted upon.) Nutrigi is a TUT start-up which manufactures Niselo, a nutrition on the go product developed by the Department of Pharmaceutical Science using a SANBio grant. When COVID-19 struck we donated the product to homeless shelters and also to marginalized communities in Tshwane. Since 2021, the product is sold to taxi-drivers, students, cancer patients (who have problems swallowing) and consumers looking for healthy “on the go” nutrition for themselves and their children. In terms of capacity building, we have trained over 20 students and interns in the manufacturing and distribution of the product in South Africa and Botswana. These skills have given them experience in the world of work. The innovation has been recognized by being awarded funding by the Scottish Inward Investment Fund in 2022 enabling it to be manufactured and distributed in the UK and in June 2024, it was one of 2 products selected by Unilever / Innovate UK for entry into East Africa. With this generous grant, this product is now entering the Kenyan market as NutriGO multigrain drink.
